Department of Transportation (DOT) — Salaries & Pay 2026
DOT employs 55,700 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024). DOT's verified average salary is $142,720/year (OPM FedScope, 2026).
FTE Source: OMB Analytical Perspectives, FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 • Salary Source: OPM FWD, April 2026
DOT Pay at a Glance
The Department of Transportation employed 55,700 civilian FTE as of FY2024 (OMB). The verified average salary for DOT is $142,720/year as of 2026 (OPM FedScope). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
55.7K
Civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024)
$143K
DOT verified avg salary (2026)
GS 1–15
General Schedule pay range
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
DOT Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2024) | 55,700 | OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 (2024 Actual). FTE, not headcount. |
| Avg Agency Salary | $142,720 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, REDACTED records excluded. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Pay system | General Schedule (GS) + others | Most DOT civilians on GS (15 grades × 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26×/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 44.15% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate × base pay = locality supplement. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. |
Common Occupations at DOT
Major occupational categories employed at Department of Transportation. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- ✓Air traffic controllers & aviation safety (FAA)
- ✓Transportation safety investigators (NTSB)
- ✓Highway & infrastructure engineers (FHWA)
- ✓Pipeline & hazardous materials safety (PHMSA)
- ✓Maritime safety (MARAD)
About Department of Transportation
FAA is the dominant component with ~45,000 employees including ~10,800 air traffic controllers. Other agencies: FHWA, FRA, FTA, NHTSA, PHMSA, and MARAD.
Calculate Your Exact DOT Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
DOT Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the Department of Transportation?↓
The verified average salary at DOT is $142,720 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data where REDACTED records are excluded. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact salary based on grade, step, and duty station.
How many employees does the DOT have?↓
The Department of Transportation employed 55,700 full-time equivalent (FTE) civilian employees as of FY2024, per the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget Table 5-1. FTE figures count part-time employees as fractions of a full-time position.
How is federal pay determined at DOT?↓
Federal civilian pay is set by the General Schedule (GS) pay system for most employees. Pay = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). DOT employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to over 44% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do DOT employees receive federal benefits?↓
Yes. DOT employees receive the full federal benefits package: FERS retirement (pension + Social Security + TSP with agency match), FEHB health insurance, FEGLI life insurance, Federal Dental and Vision (FEDVIP), and flexible spending accounts. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
What is the FERS retirement benefit for DOT employees?↓
FERS pension = High-3 Average Salary × Years of Service × 1% (or 1.1% if you retire at 62+ with 20+ years). For example, a DOT employee with a $100,000 High-3 salary and 30 years of service would receive $30,000/year ($2,500/month) in FERS pension, plus Social Security and TSP savings. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Related Federal Employee Tools
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TSP Calculator
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Data Accuracy Notice: FTE figures are from the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget (Table 5-1, 2024 Actual), a U.S. government official publication. Salary figures come from OPM's Federal Workforce Data portal (April 2026). Agency-specific averages are shown only when the public EHRI records are representative; redaction-limited agencies use the government-wide benchmark. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.