Biden's $15 minimum wage for federal employees will affect close to 70,000 workers


Federal agencies were directed on Friday to raise the minimum wage for government employees to $15 an hour, The Hill reports. The rule will take full effect on Jan. 30.
The new pay guidance will impact close to 70,000 federal employees, "most of which work at the Departments of Agriculture, Defense and Veterans Affairs," Axios reports per the Office of Personnel Management. The largest share of employees currently making under $15 an hour work at the Department of Defense, Axios adds.
Just over 2 million federal workers are already earning at least $15 an hour, the Hill writes, according to OPM. The national minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"As the largest employer in the country, how the federal government treats its workforce has real impact," said OPM director Kiran Ahuja, per Axios.
"This pay increase is an important step for the civilian men and women who support the military community and their families," added Gilbert Cisneros, Defense Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness.
The pay bump excludes the U.S. Postal Service and Postal Regulatory Commission, both of which fall outside OPM's purview.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
8 hotels with ace tennis courts
The Week Recommends Bring your A game
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 days
Speed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fight
Speed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence