OPM updates federal wage area maps for several regions
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Table of Contents
The Office of Personnel Management has finalized changes to how it defines pay zones for certain federal workers, known as the Federal Wage System. These changes adjust which geographic areas count toward specific local pay rates and fix a few clerical errors in previous documents.
Why it matters: These adjustments ensure that federal blue-collar workers are paid according to the correct local cost of living data. While most changes are administrative corrections, moving a location between wage areas can affect pay scales for those employees. OPM estimates this rule affects about 50 workers and will not significantly impact local economies.
Who it affects
- Federal employees covered by the Federal Wage System in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Florida, Virginia, Connecticut, Maine, and Illinois
This final rule was issued by the Office of Personnel Management on March 13, 2026; check the original Federal Register document for full legal text.
Agency: Personnel Management Office
Source: Federal Register — read the official document