On March 28, 2019, the President signed an Executive order regarding the 2019 pay schedules which will be retroactive to January 6, 2019. This Executive Order increases basic rates of pay by 1.4 percent, and provides for increases to GS locality rates as well. Since this pay raise is retroactive some actions may not have processed automatically or documentation may not have flowed to the employee’s electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). The Human Resources staff is currently reviewing employee records and making corrections as necessary.

The Executive order may be accessed through the link on the OPM website located: https://www.chcoc.gov/content/retroactive-2019-pay-adjustment.

2019 Pay Charts are located: https://www.va.gov/OHRM/Pay/.

Below is summary information on the 2019 pay raise:

PREVAILING RATE SCHEDULE (FWS): At this time no adjustments will be made to FWS schedules. Additional information on FWS schedules may be found at: https://www.va.gov/OHRM/Pay/#FWS.

TITLE 5 GENERAL SCHEDULE: Will receive a 1.4 percent base pay increase. The GS locality pay percentages will increase according to the Executive Order.

TITLE 5 SPECIAL SALARY RATES (OPM APPROVED): As a result of the 2018 annual review of special rates, all Title 5 special rate tables will be adjusted by the 1.4 percent base increase. In some areas, the locality-adjusted rates may be higher than the special rates. Regardless of the rates on the OPM-issued special salary rate pay tables, employees are assured of receiving a rate of pay that is no less than the locality-adjusted rate for their grade and step. (see OPM link to Special Rate Tables*)

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE: For questions regarding SES, SL, or ST pay, please refer to the Corporate Senior Executive Management Office (CSEMO) at vacocsemo@va.gov.

TITLE 38 REGULAR SCHEDULE: Physicians, dentists, and podiatrists will receive a 1.4 percent increase in base pay (Physician, Dentist, and Podiatrist Base and Longevity Pay Schedule). Optometrists, chiropractors, physician assistants, and expanded function dental auxiliary (EFDAs) will receive a 1.4 percent increase in base pay. Locality pay percentages will be increased according to the Executive Order.

TITLE 38 SECTION 7306 SCHEDULE: Will receive a 1.4 percent base pay increase, subject to the $156,000 cap.

TITLE 38 SPECIAL SALARY RATES (VA APPROVED): Will receive the 1.4 percent base pay increase. In some areas, the locality-adjusted rates may be higher than the special rates. Regardless of the rates on the VA issued special salary rate pay tables, employees are assured of receiving a rate of pay that is no less than the locality-adjusted rate for their grade and step.

TITLE 38 NURSE LOCALITY PAY SCHEDULES: All Nurse grades as of January 6, 2019, will receive a 1.4 percent increase. Facility directors can determine whether to further adjust nurse pay rates based on the third-party survey data/salary surveys. LPS rates are subject to the EL-IV cap of $166,500.

TITLE 38 CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST (CRNAs): All CRNA grades as of January 6, 2019, will receive a 1.4 percent increase. Facility directors can determine whether to further adjust nurse pay rates based on the third-party survey data/salary surveys. LPS rates are subject to the EL-I cap of $213,600.

Questions concerning the 2019 pay increase may be directed to the Human Resources Staffing team by emailing VHAKANHRSTAFFING@va.gov.

Kathi M. Nippert

Supervisory Human Resources Specialist

(Recruitment & Placement)

Kansas City VA Medical Center

(816)861-4700 ext 53830