Federal Election Commission (FEC) — Salaries & Pay 2026
FEC employs 300 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024). FEC's verified average salary is $140,332/year (OPM FedScope, 2026).
FTE Source: OMB Analytical Perspectives, FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 • Salary Source: OPM FWD, April 2026
FEC Pay at a Glance
Employment and salary benchmarks from OMB and OPM official publications.
The Federal Election Commission employed 300 civilian FTE as of FY2024 (OMB). The verified average salary for FEC is $140,332/year as of 2026 (OPM FedScope). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
FEC Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2024) | 300 | OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 (2024 Actual). FTE, not headcount. |
| Avg Agency Salary | $140,332 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, REDACTED records excluded. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Pay system | General Schedule (GS) + others | Most FEC civilians on GS (15 grades x 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26x/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x 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 FEC
Major occupational categories employed at Federal Election Commission. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- →Campaign finance attorneys & compliance specialists
- →Disclosure analysts & auditors
- →Investigators & enforcement staff
- →IT & data systems (FEC.gov reporting)
- →Program analysts & economists
About Federal Election Commission
Independent regulatory agency administering and enforcing federal campaign finance law. Enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Governs political fundraising and spending by candidates, parties, and PACs for federal office. Managed by six commissioners — three from each major party — appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Decisions require a 4-vote majority, requiring bipartisan agreement. Processes $10+ billion in political spending disclosures each federal election cycle.
Calculate Your Exact FEC Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
FEC Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the Federal Election Commission?
The verified average salary at FEC is $140,332 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 FEC have?
The Federal Election Commission employed 300 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 FEC?
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). FEC employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do FEC employees receive federal benefits?
Yes. FEC 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 FEC 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 FEC 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.
Other Federal Agency Pay Pages
Salary benchmarks and employment data for every major federal agency.
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.