Executive Schedule Level II Pay 2026
$228,000 annual salary, effective January 11, 2026. No locality pay. Deputy Secretaries and heads of major independent agencies (e.g., Attorney General, Director of the CIA, Administrator o.
Source: OPM Executive Schedule & SES Pay Tables 2026, effective January 11, 2026
ES Level II pay at a glance (2026)
Fixed annual salary — same amount regardless of duty station or years in position.
Who serves at Executive Schedule Level II?
Deputy Secretaries and heads of major independent agencies (e.g., Attorney General, Director of the CIA, Administrator of the EPA). Also the pay cap for SES members at agencies with OPM-certified performance appraisal systems.
Executive Schedule Level III ($228,000) is the maximum salary for SES members at agencies with an OPM-certified performance appraisal system. Certification allows agencies to pay SES members above the Level IV limit — up to this Level III rate.
- →Deputy Secretary of Defense
- →Director of the CIA
- →Administrator of EPA
- →Attorney General
All Executive Schedule levels — 2026
Context for ES Level II within the full Executive Schedule.
| Level | 2026 Salary | Key use |
|---|---|---|
| ES Level I | $253,100 | Secretary of State |
| ES Level II← current | $228,000 | Deputy Secretary of Defense · Certified SES cap |
| ES Level III | $209,600 | Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) · Standard SES cap |
| ES Level IV | $197,200 | Assistant Secretary of State |
| ES Level V | $184,900 | Certain commissioners of independent regulatory bodies |
OPM Executive Schedule & SES Pay Tables 2026, effective January 11, 2026. Effective January 11, 2026.
Executive Schedule Level II — frequently asked questions
What is the Executive Schedule Level II salary in 2026?
The Executive Schedule Level II salary in 2026 is $228,000, effective January 11, 2026. This is a fixed annual rate — no locality pay, no step increases. Source: OPM Executive Schedule Pay Tables 2026.
What positions are paid at Executive Schedule Level II?
Deputy Secretaries and heads of major independent agencies (e.g., Attorney General, Director of the CIA, Administrator of the EPA). Also the pay cap for SES members at agencies with OPM-certified performance appraisal systems. Specific positions at this level include: Deputy Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA, Administrator of EPA, Attorney General. The complete list of Level II positions is defined in 5 U.S.C. § 5312 (the Executive Schedule statute for each respective level).
How does Executive Schedule pay compare to SES pay?
Executive Schedule rates are fixed by statute and apply to political appointees and top statutory positions. SES (Senior Executive Service) is the pay system for career senior executives, with a pay range of $151,661 (minimum) to $209,600 (standard cap, which is the Level IV rate of $197,200) or $228,000 (certified agency cap, which is the Level III rate of $209,600). ES positions typically report through an ES Level III or higher official.
Does Executive Schedule Level II pay include locality pay?
No. Executive Schedule pay rates are fixed statutory amounts — no locality supplement is added on top. This contrasts with GS employees, who receive a locality adjustment ranging from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose/San Francisco). The tradeoff is that ES rates are higher in absolute terms and are set to be competitive with senior private-sector compensation on a national basis.
Browse all Executive Schedule levels
2026 pay rates for every ES level, plus SES pay range and how the cap system works.
Data Accuracy Notice: Executive Schedule Level II pay rate is from OPM official pay tables, effective January 11, 2026. Verify at OPM Executive Schedule. This page is for informational reference only and does not constitute financial or career advice.