Pay Question

[HEMITRP]

I am trying to understand the GS pay system. If, for the sake of arguement, you are started at a GS-7 step 5 ($49814 based on the DC area) what do you go to the following year? A 9 step 1 is $49712 obviously lower, so do you stay at your initial step as you go GS-7,9,11 etc or what? Thanks in advance.

[LawDog99]

Here's a LINK (http://www.911jobforums.com/archive/index.php/t-11105.html) to a nice explanation from ATF SAC on the 911jobforums site.

It may not be specifically about D.C., but you should be intelligent enough to apply his explanation to the D.C. scale on your own.

[Washingtonian]

I am trying to understand the GS pay system. If, for the sake of arguement, you are started at a GS-7 step 5 ($49814 based on the DC area) what do you go to the following year? A 9 step 1 is $49712 obviously lower, so do you stay at your initial step as you go GS-7,9,11 etc or what? Thanks in advance.

You can, and generally do, go back steps when you go up in grade. Normally, when you go up a grade, they'll give you whatever step will give you a few thousand dollar raise. Using your example, my best guess is they'd give you a 9 step 3.