War Department Ensures Valuable Wage Grade Employees Earn Prevailing Wages

The War Department released updated pay tables for Federal Wage System employees nationwide to ensure that skilled and talented workers earn the prevailing wages they deserve, no matter where they serve.

“FWS employees are essential to our operations, our readiness and our mission. They are key to U.S. dominance around the globe. With the support of President [Donald J.] Trump and Secretary [of War Pete] Hegseth, we are taking action to recognize and retain this high-demand, low-density talent within the department, and build our pipeline for the future,” said Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata. 

About 140,000 FWS employees will see pay increases as a result of the updated pay tables, approved by the wage committee on Nov. 25, a senior War Department official said. Additionally, because for a short time the wage committee was unable to update the pay tables to reflect prevailing wages, those employees will also receive back pay. 

The department’s FWS employees include men and women with the skills to repair or overhaul submarines, ships, airplanes and other military hardware, and to also do other kinds of skilled labor. The senior official said those pipefitters, welders, plumbers, electrical and sheet metal workers, for instance — about 210 trade, craft and labor occupational fields in all — are in high demand in both the private and public sector, and they are critical to maintaining the readiness and lethality of America’s combat systems. 

“Our wage grade employees are on the line building the ships, building submarines, and making sure that the Department of War has the equipment it needs to win wars,” the senior official said. “They’re irreplaceable; they’re highly essential to our mission and … we need to make sure that they’re properly paid for their invaluable contributions.”

The senior official said ensuring FWS employees get prevailing wages is important for two reasons. First, it’s one way the department retains the talent that keeps its warfighting equipment in top shape. And second, it’s how the department attracts new talent. 

“For potential applicants, it is important that they know that we are constantly meeting the mark to recruit them and that if they come to work for the Department of War, we will pay them a prevailing rate. We will pay them for their hard work and dedication to this mission that is so important to our nation.” 

When newly minted welders, plumbers or electricians, for instance, begin looking for work, they could go anywhere. The senior official said that when the government offers prevailing wages, it becomes an even more attractive option for work, especially when coupled with the War Department’s mission. 

“You get to see the results of your work being used to defend the nation, sailing the seas, flying the skies and protecting not only your family but the families of those around you. There is a great sense of accomplishment in that.”