Pay Question

[HEMITRP]

I am trying to understand the GS pay system. If, for the sake of arguement, you are started at a GS-7 step 5 ($49814 based on the DC area) what do you go to the following year? A 9 step 1 is $49712 obviously lower, so do you stay at your initial step as you go GS-7,9,11 etc or what? Thanks in advance.

[LawDog99]

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[Washingtonian]

I am trying to understand the GS pay system. If, for the sake of arguement, you are started at a GS-7 step 5 ($49814 based on the DC area) what do you go to the following year? A 9 step 1 is $49712 obviously lower, so do you stay at your initial step as you go GS-7,9,11 etc or what? Thanks in advance.

You can, and generally do, go back steps when you go up in grade. Normally, when you go up a grade, they'll give you whatever step will give you a few thousand dollar raise. Using your example, my best guess is they'd give you a 9 step 3.