# 5 C.F.R. § 531.211 (2026): Setting pay for a newly appointed employee

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_211

## Section

- **Citation:** 5 C.F.R. § 531.211 (2026)
- **Heading:** Setting pay for a newly appointed employee
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 5 CFR: Administrative Personnel / Chapter I: OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT / Part 531: PAY UNDER THE GENERAL SCHEDULE / Subpart B: Determining Rate of Basic Pay / § 531.211: § 531.211   Setting pay for a newly appointed employee.

## Text

(a)
First appointment.
An agency must set the payable rate of basic pay for an employee receiving his or her first appointment (regardless of tenure) as a civilian employee of the Federal Government at the minimum rate of the highest applicable rate range for the employee's position of record, except as provided in § 531.212.
(b)
Reemployment.
For an employee who has previous civilian service in the Federal Government, an agency must set the payable rate of basic pay upon reemployment at the minimum rate of the highest applicable rate range for the employee's position of record unless—
(1) The employee meets the conditions in § 531.212 and an agency determines it is appropriate to set pay under that section; or
(2) The employee is eligible for a higher payable rate under the maximum payable rate rule in § 531.221 and the agency chooses to apply that rule.

## Nearby sections

- [5 C.F.R. § 531.201 (2026) § 531.201   Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_201.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.202 (2026) § 531.202   Coverage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_202.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.203 (2026) § 531.203   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_203.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.204 (2026) § 531.204   Entitlement to other rates of pay.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_204.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.205 (2026) § 531.205   Converting pay upon change in location of employee's official worksite.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_205.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.206 (2026) § 531.206   Order of processing simultaneous pay actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_206.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.207 (2026) § 531.207   Applying annual pay adjustments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_207.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.211 (2026) § 531.211   Setting pay for a newly appointed employee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_211.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.212 (2026) § 531.212   Superior qualifications and special needs pay-setting authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_212.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.213 (2026) § 531.213   Setting pay upon change in position without a change in grade.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_213.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.214 (2026) § 531.214   Setting pay upon promotion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_214.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.215 (2026) § 531.215   Setting pay upon demotion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_215.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.216 (2026) § 531.216   Setting pay when an employee moves from a Department of Defense or Coast Guard nonappropriated fund instrumentality.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_216.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 531.217 (2026) § 531.217   Special conversion rules for certain non-GS employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_217.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P531_S531_211. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.