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Senior Executive Service Facts & Figures

Report on Senior Executive Service Pay for Performance for Fiscal Year 2005

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Senior Executive Service (SES) Pay for Performance Report Fiscal Year (FY) 2005

This report reflects data on 6,834 career and non-career members of the Senior Executive Service. Of 6,410 rated, 5,906 are career members of the SES.

Agencies continue to make steady progress in the second year of measuring executive achievement under modernized performance management systems. Chart 1 shows progress in the differentiation of pay among SES members since 2004 when agencies with certified SES appraisal systems were permitted to pay SES above Executive Schedule Level III.

The first two tables show a decrease of 16 - 17 percent in those rated at the highest level, continuing a trend toward increased distinctions in ratings. Table 1 covers only career senior executives, while Table 2 includes non-career and limited term senior executives.

Agencies are exercising more rigor in implementing pay for performance. Table 3 shows that all reporting agencies now use appraisal systems with at least one level above fully successful. It also demonstrates that SES compensation is performance sensitive since, on average, higher-rated executives received higher performance awards and salary adjustments.

Table 4 shows that in FY 2005 salaries increased by 3.8 percent compared to 3.7 percent in FY 2004. Adjustment percents vary by agency due to differing strategies, funding levels, and rating patterns.

The shift to pay for performance involves only modest increases in award amounts. Table 5 shows the average performance award increased from $13,734 in FY 2004 to $13,814 in FY 2005. Awards vary by agency based on factors such as compensation strategy, funding, and agency performance levels.

FY 2004 - FY 2005

Data table for Chart 1 - SES Pay Differentiation for Career, Non-Career and Limited Term SES Employees (Certified Agencies)
YEARPAYCODECOUNTPERCENT
2003 1 5 0.08
2003 2 1 0.02
2003 3 5 0.08
2003 4 7 0.11
2003 5 10 0.15
2003 6 16 0.25
2003 7 24 0.37
2003 8 22 0.34
2003 9 115 1.76
2003 10 411 6.30
2003 11 378 5.80
2003 12 480 7.36
2003 13 413 6.34
2003 14 1013 15.54
2003 15 3613 55.42
2003 16 4 0.06
2003 19 1 0.02
2003 20 1 0.02
2004 1 3 0.05
2004 2 4 0.06
2004 3 5 0.08
2004 4 6 0.09
2004 5 17 0.26
2004 6 12 0.18
2004 7 22 0.34
2004 8 40 0.61
2004 9 106 1.62
2004 10 184 2.81
2004 11 304 4.65
2004 12 326 4.99
2004 13 458 7.01
2004 14 1332 20.37
2004 15 662 10.13
2004 16 1274 19.49
2004 17 607 9.28
2004 18 630 9.64
2004 19 394 6.03
2004 20 152 2.32
2005 1 2 0.03
2005 2 9 0.13
2005 3 13 0.19
2005 4 11 0.16
2005 5 24 0.36
2005 6 41 0.61
2005 7 61 0.91
2005 8 114 1.70
2005 9 187 2.79
2005 10 300 4.48
2005 11 623 9.30
2005 12 657 9.80
2005 13 1913 28.55
2005 14 741 11.06
2005 15 890 13.28
2005 16 637 9.51
2005 17 476 7.10
2005 18 1 0.01
2005 20 1 0.01

1. All salaries above Executive Schedule Level III are made possible by certification.
2. 2004 data include all agencies regardless of certification status. 

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TABLE 1 - Career SES Performance FY 2002 - FY 2005
AGENCYFY 2002FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005
Career
SES
Rated		Percent
at
Highest
Level		Career
SES
Rated		Percent
at
Highest
Level		Career
SES
Rated		Percent
at
Highest
Level		Career
SES
Rated		Percent
at
Highest
Level		Percent
Change
FY2004-
FY 2005
AGRICULTURE 296 34.5% 295 37.9% 280 39.6% 283 39.9% 0.3%
AID 19 42.1% 21 38.1% 17 52.9% 19 52.6% -0.3%
COMMERCE 215 80.5% 250 80.4% 263 49.0% 247 44.9% -4.1%
DEFENSE 1 1,002 96.5% 1,038 96.0% 1,049 99.5% 1,066 32.3% -67.2%
EDUCATION 1 63 100.0% 54 98.1% 60 98.3% 66 53.0% -45.3%
ENERGY 343 18.4% 336 38.3% 347 41.8% 356 39.6% -2.2%
EPA 242 68.6% 255 64.3% 264 59.8% 265 30.6% -29.2%
GSA 76 52.5% 75 54.6% 75 25.3% 78 33.3% 8.0%
HHS 342 99.1% 331 99.7% 307 51.8% 320 55.6% 3.8%
HOMELAND SECURITY -- -- -- -- 204 83.3% 218 54.1% -29.2%
HUD 64 100.0% 69 100.0% 69 40.6% 67 55.2% 14.6%
INTERIOR 185 99.5% 190 100.0% 219 21.5% 220 18.2% -3.3%
JUSTICE 258 87.6% 263 84.7% 523 60.4% 540 62.0% 1.6%
LABOR 124 48.4% 129 32.5% 141 34.8% 145 38.6% 3.8%
NASA 358 75.7% 384 75.5% 401 76.1% 399 52.6% -23.5%
NRC 140 98.6% 137 100.0% 150 9.3% 144 9.0% -0.3%
OMB 53 24.5% 57 31.5% 55 34.5% 53 22.6% -11.9%
OPM 22 45.5% 29 31.0% 42 50.0% 43 41.9% -8.1%
SBA 34 50.0% 31 45.1% 30 70.0% 31 51.6% -18.4%
SSA 116 100.0% 112 41.0% 133 54.9% 127 58.3% 3.4%
STATE 111 99.1% 109 98.1% 125 93.6% 126 59.5% -34.1%
TRANSPORTATION 175 100.0% 161 100.0% 180 31.7% 162 22.8% -8.9%
TREASURY 533 59.1% 369 52.0% 386 40.9% 385 43.6% 2.7%
VA 270 57.0% 261 67.4% 262 64.5% 261 61.7% -2.8%
ALL OTHERS 557 75.5% 503 86.4% 266 55.6% 283 53.7% -1.9%
GOVERNMENTWIDE 5,626 74.6% 5,483 74.5% 5,848 59.4% 5,906 43.4% -16.0%

1. Percent change in bold italics denotes those agencies whose appraisal systems changed from a 3 summary level system to a 5 summary level

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TABLE 2 - FY 2004 and FY 2005 Ratings for Career, Non-Career and Limited Term SES Employees
AGENCYFY 2004FY 2005
SES
Rated		Rated
at
Highest
Level		Percent
at
Highest
Level		SES
Rated		Rated
at
Highest
Level		Percent
at
Highest
Level		Percent
Change
FY 2004-
FY 2005
AGRICULTURE 316 138 43.6% 321 141 43.9% 0.3%
AID 17 9 52.9% 19 10 52.6% -0.3%
COMMERCE 302 147 48.6% 283 127 44.9% -3.7%
DEFENSE 1,120 1,110 99.1% 1,113 351 31.5% -67.6%
EDUCATION 75 74 98.6% 76 37 48.7% -49.9%
ENERGY 390 173 44.4% 367 142 38.7% -5.7%
EPA 281 172 61.2% 287 98 34.1% -27.1%
GSA 96 27 28.1% 98 32 32.7% 4.5%
HHS 357 184 51.5% 365 211 57.8% 6.3%
HOMELAND SECURITY 263 224 85.2% 267 155 58.1% -27.1%
HUD 85 38 44.7% 81 50 61.7% 17.0%
INTERIOR 249 54 21.7% 248 45 18.1% -3.5%
JUSTICE 570 355 62.3% 582 375 64.4% 2.2%
LABOR 173 77 44.5% 168 72 42.9% -1.7%
NASA 410 312 76.1% 406 216 53.2% -22.9%
NRC 150 14 9.3% 145 13 9.0% -0.4%
OMB 66 22 33.3% 53 12 22.6% -10.7%
OPM 55 26 47.3% 52 19 36.5% -10.7%
SBA 44 31 70.4% 42 22 52.4% -18.0%
SSA 142 80 56.4% 137 83 60.6% 4.2%
STATE 156 134 85.9% 130 75 57.7% -28.2%
TRANS 201 67 33.4% 185 45 24.3% -9.1%
TREASURY 413 182 44.0% 408 189 46.3% 2.3%
VA 272 175 64.3% 271 169 62.4% -2.0%
ALL OTHERS 287 176 61.2% 306 161 52.6% -8.6%
GOVERNMENTWIDE 6,490 4,000 61.6% 6,410 2,850 44.5% -17.2%

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TABLE 3 - Aggregate Career SES Pay Distribution FY 2005
AGENCYSES
Rated		Percent
Rated
at
Level		Average
Salary
Before
Adjustment		Average
Performance
Award		Salary
Average
Adjustment		Average
Performance
Award
as a
Percent of
Salary
Before
Adjustment		Average
Salary
Adjustment
as a
Percent of
Salary
Before
Adjustment		Average
Salary
Adjustment +
Average
Performance
Award
as a
Percent of
Salary
Before
Adjustment		Average
Performance
Award
as a
Percent of
Average
Salary +
Average
Salary
Adjustment +
Average
Performance
Award
5 Summary Levels
Rating Levels 5,176                
Outstanding or Equivalent (5) 2,231 43.1% $149,319 $14,249 $6,057 9.5% 4.1% 13.6% 8.4%
Exceeds Expectations (4) 2,245 43.4% $145,605 $7,985 $4,659 5.5% 3.2% 8.7% 5.0%
Fully Successful (3) 687 13.3% $143,631 $2,570 $2,830 1.8% 2.0% 3.8% 1.7%
Minimally Successful (2) 11 0.2% $142,907 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Unacceptable (1) 2 0.0% $142,500 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
4 Summary Levels
Rating Levels 729                
Outstanding or Equivalent (5) 331 45.4% $150,866 $11,628 $7,367 7.7% 4.9% 12.6% 6.8%
Fully Successful (3) 394 54.0% $146,738 $4,008 $5,174 2.6% 3.5% 6.3% 2.6%
Minimally Successful (2) 4 0.5% $145,957 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Unacceptable (1) 0 0.0% $0 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

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TABLE 4 - Salaries for Career, Non-Career and Limited Term SES Employees FY 2004 - FY 2005
AGENCYFY 2004FY 2005
Average Rate
of Basic Pay
Before Salary
Adjustment		Average Rate
of Basic Pay
After Salary
Adjustment		Average Salary
Adjustment		Average Salary
Adjustment
as Percent of
Basic Pay Before Adjustment		Average Rate
of Basic Pay
Before Salary
Adjustment		Average Rate
of Basic Pay
After Salary
Adjustment		Average Salary
Adjustment		Average Salary
Adjustment as Percent
of Basic Pay Before
Adjustment
AGRICULTURE $142,405 $151,969 $9,564 6.7% $149,178 $157,060 $7,926 5.3%
AID 1 $141,577 $144,902 $3,325 2.3% $149,096 $151,825 $2,826 1.9%
COMMERCE $141,494 $146,063 $4,569 3.2% $144,926 $149,141 $5,561 3.8%
DEFENSE 2 $142,565 $143,624 $1,059 0.7% $144,047 $147,751 $4,086 2.8%
EDUCATION  $141,448 $144,181 $2,733 1.9% $143,772 $148,863 $6,367 4.4%
ENERGY $142,974 $149,060 $6,086 4.3% $147,659 $153,113 $6,322 4.3%
EPA $142,577 $149,935 $7,358 5.2% $149,455 $153,874 $5,222 3.5%
GSA $141,078 $147,584 $6,506 4.6% $146,896 $150,897 $4,952 3.4%
HHS $140,507 $146,101 $5,594 4.0% $147,455 $153,619 $6,640 4.5%
HOMELAND
SECURITY 3		 -- -- -- -- $143,680 $149,667 $7,108 4.9%
HUD $140,507 $145,818 $5,311 3.8% $143,490 $147,506 $7,624 5.3%
INTERIOR $139,917 $146,739 $6,822 4.9% $145,956 $151,654 $6,233 4.3%
JUSTICE $142,679 $147,835 $5,156 3.6% $146,777 $152,684 $6,148 4.2%
LABOR $140,587 $147,745 $7,158 5.1% $146,132 $153,339 $7,253 5.0%
NASA $140,881 $145,678 $4,797 3.4% $145,760 $148,895 $4,839 3.3%
NRC $143,591 $149,304 $5,713 4.0% $149,330 $153,161 $4,055 2.7%
OMB $140,344 $142,699 $2,355 1.7% $144,598 $149,402 $4,804 3.3%
OPM $141,507 $148,298 $6,791 4.8% $145,566 $150,069 $5,224 3.6%
SBA $141,909 $152,395 $10,486 7.4% $151,236 $156,863 $7,100 4.7%
SSA $140,822 $147,101 $6,279 4.5% $147,532 $152,176 $4,846 3.3%
STATE 4 $142,556 $146,774 $4,218 3.0% $146,458 $152,290 $5,742 3.9%
TRANSPORTATION $142,034 $147,987 $5,953 4.2% $147,078 $149,946 $4,675 3.2%
TREASURY $140,471 $146,158 $5,687 4.0% $144,888 $150,308 $6,129 4.2%
VA $142,942 $150,829 $7,887 5.5% $149,297 $154,436 $6,120 4.1%
ALL OTHERS $143,512 $149,827 $6,315 4.4% $150,721 $155,045 $4,324 2.9%
GOVERNMENTWIDE $141,929 $147,131 $5,202 3.7% $146,383 $151,266 $5,628 3.8%

1. Additional performance adjustment decisions were pending at the time of this report; data shown reflect MPR (maintain position in range) adjustments only.
2. Agency appraisal system was not certified by OPM for CY2004 or CY2005.
3. 2004 data for the Department of Homeland Security were not available for inclusion.
4. 2005 non-career adjustment data for the Department of State were not available when this report was prepared.

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TABLE 5 - Career SES Awards FY 2002 - FY 2005
AGENCYFY 2002FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005
Average AwardPercent Received AwardsAverage AwardPercent Received AwardsAverage AwardPercent Received AwardsAverage AwardPercent Received AwardsPercent Change FY 2004- FY 2005
AGRICULTURE $11,153 70.6% $12,491 80.6% $15,861 81.4% $15,945 83.7% 2.3%
AID 1 $7,442 42.1% $7,257 33.3% $8,889 52.9% $12,444 10.5% -42.4%
COMMERCE $10,616 82.8% $10,570 71.5% $12,299 77.9% $11,749 81.2% 3.3%
DEFENSE 2 $15,732 20.5% $16,418 56.1% $16,958 43.4% $14,788 85.3% 41.9%
EDUCATION $10,302 60.3% $9,658 64.1% $10,325 67.8% $10,652 76.4% 8.6%
ENERGY $9,793 41.4% $10,004 54.9% $8,863 64.0% $9,064 51.9% -12.1%
EPA $15,518 38.6% $10,889 65.9% $11,797 50.4% $10,509 62.2% 11.8%
GSA $12,003 94.7% $12,003 93.2% $12,705 97.3% $12,269 97.5% 0.2%
HHS $10,307 37.1% $12,059 25.8% $12,536 70.2% $12,852 82.2% 12.0%
HOMELAND
SECURITY		 -- -- -- -- $16,424 46.6% $14,935 49.4% 2.8%
HUD $8,515 51.6% $8,947 68.1% $8,092 60.9% $9,761 56.8% -4.1%
INTERIOR $10,243 32.6% $9,811 31.6% $13,017 30.1% $11,658 39.8% 9.7%
JUSTICE $9,991 42.2% $11,892 45.6% $11,858 56.5% $14,749 53.6% -2.9%
LABOR $10,918 93.5% $11,594 90.6% $11,999 89.4% $12,498 95.9% 6.5%
NASA $12,084 40.7% $13,259 51.9% $17,483 42.6% $15,857 48.4% 5.7%
NRC $14,699 78.6% $14,288 75.9% $16,946 62.0% $16,261 88.2% 26.2%
OMB $12,500 41.5% $11,957 40.3% $10,100 48.3% $11,579 35.8% -12.4%
OPM $13,266 90.90% $14,288 58.60% $15,044 69.00% $14,100 80.00% 11.00%
SBA $15,000 82.40% $15,228 83.90% $9,518 100.00% $9,721 69.40% -30.60%
SSA $12,604 39.70% $13,400 48.20% $14,419 63.20% $14,572 72.40% 9.20%
STATE $11,026 35.10% $12,668 38.50% $11,037 32.80% $10,976 32.30% -0.50%
TRANSPORTATION $10,541 45.70% $13,381 56.90% $10,790 51.40% $11,189 52.00% 0.60%
TREASURY $15,114 54.80% $14,813 50.10% $15,607 64.40% $15,173 65.00% 0.60%
VA $8,120 74.60% $14,152 75.90% $16,287 89.30% $16,713 75.40% -14.00%
ALL OTHERS $12,444 70.60% $12,800 60.90% $12,360 56.40% $13,146 37.60% -18.80%
GOVERNMENTWIDE $12,444 49.20% $12,883 57.40% $13,734 58.20% $13,814 66.50% 8.30%

1. Performance award decisions were final for only one agency component at the time of this report.
2. The agency appraisal system was not certified by OPM for CY2004 or CY2005.

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