The primary difference between GS and GG lies in their application within the United States federal civil service pay systems: GS refers to the broader General Schedule pay system, while GG is a specific grade designator used for certain positions within the excepted service that derive their pay rates from the GS system.
Understanding the General Schedule (GS)
The General Schedule (GS) is the most widely used pay system for white-collar federal employees in the United States. It categorizes positions into 15 grades (GS-1 to GS-15), with each grade having 10 steps. Pay is determined by grade, step, and locality pay (geographic location).
- Competitive Service: The vast majority of positions in the competitive service, which are subject to laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), are paid according to the GS system. These positions require a rigorous application and hiring process, often involving examinations or specific qualification standards.
- Basis for Other Systems: Even beyond the competitive service, the GS system often serves as a foundational benchmark for setting pay rates in various other federal employment categories.
Understanding the GG Designator
The "GG" designator is encountered in specific instances within the excepted service. Unlike the competitive service, positions in the excepted service are exempt from certain competitive hiring procedures, often due to their unique nature, sensitivity, or requirement for specialized skills.
- Excepted Service Positions: While many positions in the excepted service use the GS as a basis for setting their pay rates, some specifically use the "GG" grade designator.
- Examples: For instance, you might see job postings or positions listed as "GG-12" or "GG-13." This indicates that while the position is in the excepted service, its pay and grade structure directly mirror that of a GS-12 or GS-13 position.
Key Distinctions Summarized
The following table highlights the core differences between GS and GG:
| Feature | General Schedule (GS) | GG Designator |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Broad federal pay system | Specific grade designator within the excepted service |
| Primary Use | Most positions in the competitive service | Some positions in the excepted service |
| Pay Basis | Establishes its own pay grades and steps | Uses the GS pay rates and structure as its basis |
| Hiring Process | Typically subject to competitive hiring rules (e.g., OPM exams) | Exempt from some competitive hiring rules due to specific needs |
| Purpose | Standardized pay for a wide range of federal roles | Designates an excepted service role that follows GS pay structure |
| Examples | GS-9 Management Analyst, GS-13 Research Scientist | GG-12 Intelligence Analyst, GG-13 Project Manager (in an excepted agency) |
In essence, if you encounter a "GG" designation, you can generally understand that the position's salary and pay progression will align with that of a comparable GS-level position, even though the specific hiring authority or agency might operate under excepted service rules.
