# 5 C.F.R. § 532.203 (2026): Structure of regular wage schedules

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_203

## Section

- **Citation:** 5 C.F.R. § 532.203 (2026)
- **Heading:** Structure of regular wage schedules
- **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 532: PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS / Subpart B: Prevailing Rate Determinations / § 532.203: § 532.203   Structure of regular wage schedules.

## Text

(a) Each nonsupervisory and leader regular wage schedule shall have 15 grades, which shall be designated as follows:
(1)
WG
means an appropriated fund nonsupervisory grade;
(2)
WL
means an appropriated fund leader grade;
(3)
NA
means a nonappropriated fund nonsupervisory grade; and
(4)
NL
means a nonappropriated fund leader grade.
(b) Each supervisory regular wage schedule shall have 19 grades, which shall be designated as follows:
(1)
WS
means an appropriated fund supervisory grade; and
(2)
NS
means a nonappropriated fund supervisory grade.
(c) The step 2 or payline rate for each grade of a leader regular wage schedule shall be equal to 110 percent of the rate for step 2 of the corresponding grade of the nonsupervisory regular wage schedule for the area.
(d) The step 2 or payline rate for each grade of an appropriated fund supervisory regular wage schedule shall be:
(1) For grades WS-1 through WS-10, equal to the rate for step 2 of the corresponding grade of the nonsupervisory regular wage schedule for the area, plus 30 percent of the rate for step 2 of WG-10;
(2) For grades WS-11 through WS-18, the second rate of WS-10, plus 5, 11.5, 19.6, 29.2, 40.3, 52.9, 67.1, and 82.8 percent, respectively, of the difference between the step 2 rates of WS-10 and WS-19; and
(3) For grade WS-19, the third rate in effect for General Schedule grade GS-14 at the time of the area wage schedule adjustment. The WS-19 rate shall include any cost of living allowance payable for the area under 5 U.S.C. 5941.
8, the second rate of WS-10, plus 5, 11.5, 19.6, 29.2, 40.3, 52.9, 67.1, and 82.8 percent, respectively, of the difference between the step 2 rates of WS-10 and WS-19; and
(3) For grade WS-19, the third rate in effect for General Schedule grade GS-14 at the time of the area wage schedule adjustment. The WS-19 rate shall include any cost of living allowance payable for the area under 5 U.S.C. 5941.
(e) The step 2 or payline rate for each grade of a nonappropriated fund supervisory regular wage schedule shall be:
(1) For grades NS-1 through NS-8, equal to the rate for step 2 of the corresponding grade of the nonsupervisory regular wage schedule for the area, plus 20 percent of the rate for step 2 of NA-8;
(2) For grades NS-9 through NS-15, equal to 120 percent of the rate for step 2 of the corresponding grade of the nonsupervisory regular wage schedule for the area;
(3) For grades NS-16 through NS-19, the rates will be 25, 30, 35 and 40 percent, respectively, above the step 2 rate of NA-15;
(f) The number of within-grade steps and the differentials between steps for each nonsupervisory grade on a regular wage schedule shall be established in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5343(e)(1). Each grade on a leader and supervisory regular wage schedule shall have 5 within-grade steps with step 2 set according to paragraphs (c), (d), or (e) of this section, as appropriate, and—
(1) Step 1 set at 96 percent of the step 2 rate;
(2) Step 3 set at 104 percent of the step 2 rate;
(3) Step 4 set at 108 percent of the step 2 rate; and
(4) Step 5 set at 112 percent of the step 2 rate.
[46 FR 21344, Apr. 10, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 13385, Mar. 30, 1983; 49 FR 28347, July 11, 1984; 55 FR 46140, Nov. 1, 1990]

## Nearby sections

- [5 C.F.R. § 532.201 (2026) § 532.201   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_201.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.203 (2026) § 532.203   Structure of regular wage schedules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_203.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.205 (2026) § 532.205   The use of Federal, State, and local minimum wage requirements in determining prevailing rates.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_205.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.207 (2026) § 532.207   Time schedule for wage surveys.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_207.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.209 (2026) § 532.209   Lead agency.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_209.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.211 (2026) § 532.211   Criteria for appropriated fund wage areas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_211.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.213 (2026) § 532.213   Industries included in regular appropriated fund wage surveys.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_213.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.215 (2026) § 532.215   Establishments included in regular appropriated fund surveys.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_215.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.217 (2026) § 532.217   Appropriated fund survey jobs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_217.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.219 (2026) § 532.219   Criteria for establishing nonappropriated fund wage areas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_219.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.221 (2026) § 532.221   Industries included in regular nonappropriated fund surveys.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_221.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.223 (2026) § 532.223   Establishments included in regular nonappropriated fund surveys.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_223.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.225 (2026) § 532.225   Nonappropriated fund survey jobs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_225.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 532.227 (2026) § 532.227   Agency wage committee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_227.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P532_S532_203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.