USAID sets Foreign Service salaries in accordance with the policy published in Automated Directive Series (ADS) Chapter 470, summarized here.  USAID’s Office of Human Capital and Talent Management, Foreign Service Center (HCTM/FSC) develops and maintains qualification standards for each salary class and occupational specialty approved for recruitment. The qualification standards for the relevant salary class are included in announcements when positions are advertised. HCTM/FSC personnel screen applications against the standards to determine the qualifications of each applicant.  Once an applicant has qualified for a salary class, HCTM/FSC determines the salary rate within the class to offer the applicant. HCTM/FSC must make salary offers based on the advertised class of the position, using the combination of education and experience specified in the table below and the applicable FS salary chart for the year in which they are hired (depending on the location of the position). 

When substantiated by appropriate documentation of base salary, USAID may offer a higher rate within the range of the class for employees, based on current or prior federal service of 90 days or more. In making salary determinations, HCTM cannot exceed step 14 of the salary class to which the applicant is appointed (in line with the vacancy announcement). 

Applicants for Foreign Service Limited (non-career) positions advertised at the FS 01 level will receive salaries within the salary range specified in the announcement based on assessment of their qualifications and the specialized expertise required for their position, given the standards established below.

FOREIGN SERVICE PAY SETTING MODEL

Hiring Level

Education *

Years of Qualifying Experience**

Class/Step***

FS Positions - Classes 06/05/04

Bachelor's Degree

0-5

FS-06/5-10

 

6-11

FS-05/7-12

 

12-21

FS-04/5-14

 

>21

FS-04/14

Master's or Juris Doctor (JD)

0-5

FS-05/5-10

 

6-15

FS-04/5-14

 

>15

FS-04/14

Doctorate (PhD)

0-9

FS-04/5-14

 

>9

FS-04/14

FS Positions -  Classes  03/02

Bachelor's Degree

0-5

NA

 

6-11

FS-03/1-6

 

12-21

FS-03/7-14

 

>21

FS-03/14

Master's or Juris Doctor (JD)

0-5

NA

 

6-15

FS-03/5-14

 

15-21

FS-02/1-7

 

21-27+

FS-02/8-14

Doctorate (PhD)

0-5

NA

 

6-15

FS-02/2-10

 

15-18

FS-02/11-14

 

>18

FS-02/14

Table Notes:  

 

*Minimum education requirements are established in the vacancy announcement. The minimum years of experience and degree requirements for FS entry are defined by Backstop Coordinators, in consultation with HCTM/FSC.      

 

**Qualifying Experience is defined on the last vacancy announcement for that grade range.

 

**Qualifying overseas (O/S)/diverse U.S.-based  experience is counted at 150% rate (e.g. 1 year O/S counts as 1.5 years, 4 years O/S counts as 6 years). Relevant overseas/diverse U.S.-based experience includes: (1) working and living in a foreign country, nation, territory, or tribal area or (2) working and living in an economically disadvantaged community in the United States with populations who are economically disadvantaged. The experience must be relevant to the advertised position, including if the experience required learning or using a foreign language; encountering new and or different cultures and practices; and/or coordination and engagement with external partners and local counterparts.

 

***Language proficiency in one of USAID's Tenure Languages is verified during the interview stage via a phone test. If the candidate is predicted by the tester to be at a tenure level in one of the core languages, they must receive two bonus steps for one language (only one). This provision is not applicable for non-career FSL appointments.

 

***Prior Federal Salary History: The highest previous rate (HPR) rule is applied when determining the step. The HPR is the highest rate of basic pay previously received by an individual while employed in a non-temporary civilian position for 90 days or more in any part of the Federal Government. It does not apply to work as a contractor.

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Foreign Service