Editorial Notes
References in Text

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is Pub. L. 91–596, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1590, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (§ 651 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 651 of Title 29 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5343, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 471, related to effective date of pay increases and is covered by section 5344(a) of this title.

Provisions similar to those comprising part of first sentence of subsec. (c) and subsec. (d) of this section were contained in Pub. L. 90–560, § 4, Oct. 12, 1968, 82 Stat. 997 (formerly classified to section 5341(c) of this title) prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 92–392.

Amendments

2003—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 108–136 inserted before semicolon at end “, and for any hardship or hazard related to asbestos, such differentials shall be determined by applying occupational safety and health standards consistent with the permissible exposure limit promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970”.

2001—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 107–107 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “When the lead agency determines that there is a number of comparable positions in private industry insufficient to establish the wage schedules and rates, such agency shall—

“(A) establish the wage schedules and rates to be applicable to prevailing rate employees other than prevailing rate employees of the Department of Defense on the basis of—

“(i) local private industry rates; and

“(ii) rates paid for comparable positions in private industry in the nearest wage area that such agency determines is most similar in the nature of its population, employment, manpower, and industry to the local wage area for which the wage survey is being made; and

“(B) establish the wage schedules and rates to be applicable to prevailing rate employees of the Department of Defense only on the basis of local private industry rates.”

1996—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 104–201 struck out “the areas and installations in the Republic of Panama made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements (as described in section 3(a) of the Panama Canal Act of 1979),” after “Puerto Rico,”.

1985—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 99–145 amended par. (2) generally, designating existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserting “to be applicable to prevailing rate employees other than prevailing rate employees of the Department of Defense”, redesignating as cls. (i) and (ii) provisions previously designated subpars. (A) and (B), and adding subpar. (B).

1979—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 96–70 substituted “areas and installations in the Republic of Panama made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements (as described in section 3(a) of the Panama Canal Act of 1979)” for “Canal Zone”.

1978—Subsecs. (a) to (c), (e)(3). Pub. L. 95–454 substituted “Office of Personnel Management” for “Civil Service Commission” and “Office” for “Commission” wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XI, § 1122(c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1637, provided that: “Subject to any vested constitutional property rights, any administrative or judicial determination after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 24, 2003] concerning backpay for a differential established under sections 5343(c)(4) or 5545(d) of such title [this title] shall be based on occupational safety and health standards described in the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 5545 of this title].”

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XI, § 1113(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1239, provided that: “Wage adjustments made pursuant to the amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect in each applicable wage area on the first normal effective date of the applicable wage survey adjustment that occurs after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 2001].”

Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Section 1242(b) of Pub. L. 99–145 provided that: “The rate of pay payable to a prevailing rate employee employed by the Department of Defense on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 8, 1985] may not be reduced by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section].”

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–70 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 3304 of Pub. L. 96–70, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3601 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–454 effective 90 days after Oct. 13, 1978, see section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Effective Date

Section other than subsec. (e)(1)(D), (E), (2)(C) of this section effective on first day of first applicable pay period beginning on or after 90th day after Aug. 19, 1972, and such subsec. (a)(1)(D), (E), (2)(C) not effective until first day of first pay period commencing after date on which President ceases to exercise his authority under Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 to stabilize wages and salaries, or Apr. 30, 1973, whichever occurs first, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 92–392, set out as a note under section 5341 of this title.

Limitation on Pay Adjustments for Prevailing Rate Employees and Crews of Vessels

Pub. L. 118–47, div. B, title VII, § 737, Mar. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 581, provided that:

“(a)
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as otherwise provided in this section, no part of any of the funds appropriated for fiscal year 2024, by this or any other Act, may be used to pay any prevailing rate employee described in section 5342(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code—
“(A)
during the period from the date of expiration of the limitation imposed by the comparable section for the previous fiscal years until the normal effective date of the applicable wage survey adjustment that is to take effect in fiscal year 2024, in an amount that exceeds the rate payable for the applicable grade and step of the applicable wage schedule in accordance with such section; and
“(B)
during the period consisting of the remainder of fiscal year 2024, in an amount that exceeds, as a result of a wage survey adjustment, the rate payable under subparagraph (A) by more than the sum of—
“(i)
the percentage adjustment taking effect in fiscal year 2024 under section 5303 of title 5, United States Code, in the rates of pay under the General Schedule; and
“(ii)
the difference between the overall average percentage of the locality-based comparability payments taking effect in fiscal year 2024 under section 5304 of such title (whether by adjustment or otherwise), and the overall average percentage of such payments which was effective in the previous fiscal year under such section.
“(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no prevailing rate employee described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 5342(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, and no employee covered by section 5348 of such title, may be paid during the periods for which paragraph (1) is in effect at a rate that exceeds the rates that would be payable under paragraph (1) were paragraph (1) applicable to such employee.
“(3)
For the purposes of this subsection, the rates payable to an employee who is covered by this subsection and who is paid from a schedule not in existence on September 30, 2023, shall be determined under regulations prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management.
“(4)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rates of premium pay for employees subject to this subsection may not be changed from the rates in effect on September 30, 2023, except to the extent determined by the Office of Personnel Management to be consistent with the purpose of this subsection.
“(5)
This subsection shall apply with respect to pay for service performed after September 30, 2023.
“(6)
For the purpose of administering any provision of law (including any rule or regulation that provides premium pay, retirement, life insurance, or any other employee benefit) that requires any deduction or contribution, or that imposes any requirement or limitation on the basis of a rate of salary or basic pay, the rate of salary or basic pay payable after the application of this subsection shall be treated as the rate of salary or basic pay.
“(7)
Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to permit or require the payment to any employee covered by this subsection at a rate in excess of the rate that would be payable were this subsection not in effect.
“(8)
The Office of Personnel Management may provide for exceptions to the limitations imposed by this subsection if the Office determines that such exceptions are necessary to ensure the recruitment or retention of qualified employees.
“(b)
Notwithstanding subsection (a), the adjustment in rates of basic pay for the statutory pay systems that take place in fiscal year 2024 under sections 5344 and 5348 of title 5, United States Code, shall be—
“(1)
not less than the percentage received by employees in the same location whose rates of basic pay are adjusted pursuant to the statutory pay systems under sections 5303 and 5304 of title 5, United States Code: Provided, That prevailing rate employees at locations where there are no employees whose pay is increased pursuant to sections 5303 and 5304 of title 5, United States Code, and prevailing rate employees described in section 5343(a)(5) of title 5, United States Code, shall be considered to be located in the pay locality designated as ‘Rest of United States’ pursuant to section 5304 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of this subsection; and
“(2)
effective as of the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning after September 30, 2023.”

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior acts:

Pub. L. 117–328, div. E, title VII, § 737, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4712.

Pub. L. 117–103, div. E, title VII, § 737, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 301.

Pub. L. 116–260, div. E, title VII, § 737, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1438.

Pub. L. 116–93, div. C, title VII, § 737, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2492.

Pub. L. 116–6, div. D, title VII, § 737, Feb. 15, 2019, 133 Stat. 195.

Pub. L. 115–141, div. E, title VII, § 737, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 595.

Pub. L. 115–31, div. E, title VII, § 737, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 385.

Pub. L. 114–113, div. E, title VII, § 737, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2481.

Pub. L. 113–235, div. E, title VII, § 737, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2387.

Pub. L. 113–76, div. E, title VII, § 740, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 239.

Pub. L. 111–117, div. C, title VII, § 710, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3206.

Pub. L. 111–8, div. D, title VII, § 710, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 682.

Pub. L. 110–161, div. D, title VII, § 712, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2021.

Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title VIII, § 813, Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2497.

Pub. L. 108–447, div. H, title VI, § 613, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3275.

Pub. L. 108–199, div. F, title VI, § 613, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 352.

Pub. L. 108–7, div. J, title VI, § 613, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 465.

Pub. L. 107–67, title VI, § 613, Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 547, as amended by Pub. L. 108–2, § 3, Jan. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 5.

Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(3) [title VI, § 613], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–157.

Pub. L. 106–58, title VI, § 613, Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 468.

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(h) [title VI, § 614], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–480, 2681–515.

Pub. L. 105–61, title VI, § 614, Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1311.

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title VI, § 616], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–356.

Pub. L. 104–52, title VI, § 616, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 500, as amended by Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title VI, § 659 [title II, § 206(b)(3)]], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–372, 3009–378.

Pub. L. 103–329, title VI, § 617, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2419.

Pub. L. 103–123, title VI, § 615, Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1261.

Pub. L. 102–393, title VI, § 616, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1768.

Pub. L. 102–141, title VI, § 616, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 870.

Pub. L. 101–509, title VI, § 612, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1473.

Pub. L. 101–136, title VI, § 612, Nov. 3, 1989, 103 Stat. 818.

Pub. L. 100–440, title VI, § 612, Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1753.

Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(m) [title VI, § 613], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–390, 1329–421.

Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(m) [title VI, § 613], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–308, 1783–330, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(m) [title VI, § 613], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–308, 3341–330.

Pub. L. 99–272, title XV, § 15201(b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 332.

Pub. L. 99–190, § 101(h) [H.R. 3036, title VI, § 613], Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1291.

Pub. L. 98–473, § 101(j) [H.R. 5798, title VI, § 616], Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 1963.

Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title II, § 2202, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1058.

Pub. L. 98–270, title II, § 202(b), Apr. 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 158.

Pub. L. 98–151, § 101(f) [H.R. 4139, title VI, § 616], Nov. 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 973.

Pub. L. 98–107, § 110, Oct. 1, 1983, 97 Stat. 741.

Pub. L. 97–377, title I, § 107, Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1909.

Pub. L. 97–276, § 109, Oct. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 1191.

Pub. L. 97–35, title XVII, § 1701(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 754.

Pub. L. 96–536, § 101(a) [incorporating Pub. L. 96–74, title VI, § 613], Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3166.

Pub. L. 96–369, § 114, Oct. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 1356.

Pub. L. 96–74, title VI, § 613, Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 576.

Pub. L. 95–429, title VI, § 614, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1018.

Wage Rate for Certain Corps of Engineers Employees

Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, § 1358, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3999, provided that:

“(a)
Wage Determinations.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the administration of the last undesignated paragraph preceding chapter 6 of title I of Public Law 97–257 (96 Stat. 832) [set out below], the individuals described in subsection (b) shall be paid wages determined in the same manner as that established in such undesignated paragraph with respect to United States Army Corps of Engineers employees paid from Corps of Engineers Special Power Rate Schedules.
“(b)
Covered Individuals.—
The individuals described in subsection (a) are electric powerplant controllers and powerplant shift operators (as defined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense) assigned to the Soo Locks Power Plant in the Detroit District in the North Central Region of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
“(c)
Effective Date.—
Subsection (a) applies with respect to pay periods commencing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 14, 1986].”

Employees of United States Corps of Engineers Paid From Corps of Engineers Special Power Rate Schedules; Consistency of Wages With Wages of Energy and Interior Department Employees

Pub. L. 110–114, title V, § 5026, Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1203, provided that: “Employees of the Corps of Engineers who are paid wages determined under the last undesignated paragraph under the heading ‘Administrative Provisions’ of chapter V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982 (5 U.S.C. 5343 note; 96 Stat. 832) shall be allowed, through appropriate employee organization representatives, to participate in wage surveys under such paragraph to the same extent as are prevailing rate employees under subsection (c)(2) of section 5343 of title 5, United States Code. Nothing in such section 5343 shall be construed to affect which agencies are to be surveyed under such paragraph.”

Pub. L. 97–257, title I, § 100, Sept. 10, 1982, 96 Stat. 832, provided in part that: “Without regard to any other provision of law limiting the amounts payable to prevailing wage rate employees, United States Army Corps of Engineers employees paid from Corps of Engineers Special Power Rate Schedules shall be paid, beginning the effective date of each annual wage survey in the region after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 10, 1982], wages as determined by the Department of Defense Wage Fixing Authority to be consistent with wages of the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior employees performing similar work in the corresponding area whose wage rates are established in accordance with section 9(b) of Public Law 92–392 or section 704 of Public Law 95–454 [set out as notes under this section].”

Negotiating Requirements for Labor Contracts, Etc., On and After October 13, 1978, and Negotiated Under Prevailing Rates and Practices Prior to August 19, 1972

Pub. L. 95–454, title VII, § 704, Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1218, provided that:

“(a)
Those terms and conditions of employment and other employment benefits with respect to Government prevailing rate employees to whom section 9(b) of Public Law 92–392 [set out as a note under this section] applies which were the subject of negotiation in accordance with prevailing rates and practices prior to August 19, 1972, shall be negotiated on and after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1978] in accordance with the provisions of section 9(b) of Public Law 92–392 without regard to any provision of chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code (as amended by this title [title VII of Pub. L. 95–454]), to the extent that any such provision is inconsistent with this paragraph.
“(b)
The pay and pay practices relating to employees referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be negotiated in accordance with prevailing rates and pay practices without regard to any provision of—
“(A)
chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code (as amended by this title), to the extent that any such provision is inconsistent with this paragraph;
“(B)
subchapter IV of chapter 53 and subchapter V of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code; or
“(C)
any rule, regulation, decision, or order relating to rates of pay or pay practices under subchapter IV of chapter 53 or subchapter V of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code.”

Conversion Rules for Wage Schedule; Service for One Step Increase; Prohibition of Decrease in Basic Pay Rate; Retained Pay Continued

Pub. L. 92–392, § 9(a), Aug. 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 573, provided that:

“(1)
Except as provided by this subsection, an employee’s initial rate of pay on conversion to a wage schedule established pursuant to the amendments made by this Act [see Effective Date note under section 5341 of this title] shall be determined under conversion rules prescribed by the Civil Service Commission. Service by an employee in a grade of a wage schedule performed before the effective date of the conversion of the employee to a wage schedule established pursuant to the amendments made by this Act shall be counted toward not to exceed one step increase under the time in step provisions of section 5343(e)(2) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by the first section of this Act [subsec. (e)(2) of this section].
“(2)
In the case of any employee described in section 2105(c), 5102(c)(7), (8), or (14) of title 5, United States Code, who is in the service as such an employee immediately before the effective date, with respect to him, of the amendments made by this Act [see Effective Date note under section 5341 of this title], such amendments shall not be construed to decrease his rate of basic pay in effect immediately before the date [see Effective Date note under section 5341 of this title] on which such amendments become effective with respect to him. In addition, if an employee is receiving retained pay by virtue of law or agency policy immediately before the date on which the first wage schedule applicable to him under this Act is effective, he shall continue to retain that pay in accordance with the specific instructions under which the retained pay was granted until he leaves his position or until he becomes entitled to a higher rate.”

Labor Contracts Pertaining to Wages, Terms and Conditions of Employment, and Other Employment Benefits

Pub. L. 92–392, § 9(b), Aug. 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 574, provided that: “The amendments made by this Act [enacting this subchapter and section 5550 of this title, amending sections 2105(c)(1), 5337, 5541(2)(xi), 5544(a), 5548, 6101(a)(1), 7154(b), and 8704(d)(2) of this title, repealing section 6102 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 5341 and 5343 of this title and section 60a of Title 2, The Congress] shall not be construed to—

“(1)
abrogate, modify, or otherwise affect in any way the provisions of any contract in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 19, 1972] pertaining to the wages, the terms and conditions of employment, and other employment benefits, or any of the foregoing matters, for Government prevailing rate employees and resulting from negotiations between Government agencies and organizations of Government employees;
“(2)
nullify, curtail, or otherwise impair in any way the right of any party to such contract to enter into negotiations after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 19, 1972] for the renewal, extension, modification, or improvement of the provisions of such contract or for the replacement of such contract with a new contract; or
“(3)
nullify, change, or otherwise affect in any way after such date of enactment [Aug. 19, 1972] any agreement, arrangement, or understanding in effect on such date [Aug. 19, 1972] with respect to the various items of subject matter of the negotiations on which any such contract in effect on such date [Aug. 19, 1972] is based or prevent the inclusion of such items of subject matter in connection with the renegotiation of any such contract, or the replacement of such contract with a new contract, after such date [Aug. 19, 1972].”

Wage Survey

Pub. L. 92–392, § 15(b), Aug. 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 575, provided that: “A wage survey conducted by an agency before the effective date (with respect to employees covered by that wage survey) of this Act [see note under section 5341 of this title], for a wage schedule which becomes effective after that effective date [Aug. 19, 1972], is deemed to meet the requirement in this Act for a survey by a lead agency.”

Equitable Wage Adjustments for Certain Prevailing Rate Employees

Pub. L. 92–298, §§ 1, 2, May 17, 1972, 86 Stat. 146, provided: “That this Act [enacting this note and amending sections 4531 and 4571 of Title 2, The Congress] may be cited as the ‘Prevailing Rate Equalization Adjustment Act of 1972’.

“Sec. 2.
(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any provision of an Executive order or regulation, a wage schedule adjustment for employees of the Government of the United States whose pay is fixed and adjusted from time to time in accordance with prevailing rates—
“(1)
if based on a wage survey ordered to be made on or after August 15, 1971, but not placed into effect before November 14, 1971, by reason of the provisions of Executive Order 11615 or Executive Order 11627 [formerly set out as notes under section 1904 of Title 12]; or
“(2)
if based on a wage survey which had been scheduled to be made during the period beginning on September 1, 1971, and ending on January 12, 1972, and which was ordered to be made on or after January 23, 1972;
shall be effective on the date on which such wage schedule adjustment would have been effective under section 5343 of title 5, United States (Code), had the fiscal year 1972 schedule for wage surveys for such employees been followed.
“(b)
Retroactive pay made under the provisions of this section will be made in accordance with section 5344 of title 5, United States Code.”

Executive Documents
Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.