Overview
Federal government attorneys work across dozens of agencies including the Department of Justice, SEC, FTC, EPA, and many others. Compensation follows the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, which provides transparent, predictable salary progression based on grade and step. Most attorney positions start at GS-11 or GS-12, depending on experience.
The GS pay system includes locality adjustments that significantly increase base pay in high-cost areas. A GS-13 attorney in Washington, D.C. earns substantially more than the base rate due to the D.C. locality adjustment. Senior Executive Service (SES) positions represent the highest non-political appointments, with salaries ranging from $170,000 to $210,000.
Government attorney positions offer exceptional benefits including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching, generous health insurance options, and job security. Many positions also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying payments.
Salary Data
| Level | Salary | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| GS-11 Entry | $65,000-$75,000 | N/A |
| GS-12 | $75,000-$90,000 | N/A |
| GS-13 | $90,000-$110,000 | N/A |
| GS-14 | $105,000-$130,000 | N/A |
| GS-15 | $125,000-$155,000 | N/A |
| SES | $170,000-$210,000 | N/A |
Key Factors Affecting Salary
- 1GS grade and step within grade
- 2Locality pay adjustment area
- 3Agency and specific office
- 4Specialized experience and credentials
- 5Supervisory vs. non-supervisory role
- 6Special pay authorities (some agencies have excepted service pay)
Geographic Variation
Washington, D.C. metro
~32% locality adjustment above base
San Francisco
~44% locality adjustment (highest)
New York City
~36% locality adjustment
Los Angeles
~34% locality adjustment
Rest of U.S.
~17% base locality adjustment
Houston
~34% locality adjustment
Market Trends
Federal attorney hiring in 2026 reflects shifting enforcement priorities across administrations. Agencies like the SEC, DOJ Antitrust Division, and FTC continue to recruit attorneys for technology and competition enforcement. The federal pay scale has received modest annual adjustments, though government salaries continue to lag significantly behind private sector alternatives.
Retention remains a challenge, particularly at the 5-8 year mark when attorneys become attractive lateral candidates for law firms and in-house positions. Some agencies have implemented special pay authorities to offer higher starting salaries for hard-to-fill positions, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, AI regulation, and national security law.
Negotiation Tips
GS salaries are largely fixed, but you can negotiate starting step within your grade
Ask for superior qualifications appointment to start at a higher step
Negotiate grade level if your experience qualifies you for GS-12 instead of GS-11
Inquire about recruitment incentives and relocation bonuses available at some agencies
Factor in the full benefits package: FERS pension, TSP matching, FEHB, and PSLF eligibility
Some agencies with excepted service authority (e.g., FDIC, SEC) can offer above-GS pay