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Approving Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investment Workforce

President Donald Trump approved the use of “critical position pay” for up to 400 federal jobs tied to national security investment programs. The memorandum authorizes the Office of Personnel Management, working with the Office of Management and Budget, to assign those positions across agencies and approve salaries of up to $400,000 when needed to attract top talent. It says the authority is meant to speed the hiring and retention of highly skilled investment, engineering, financial, and legal professionals working on critical minerals, advanced materials, and other key supply-chain needs. Trump issued the action to help agencies build the expert workforce needed to support strategic investment programs tied to economic strength and national security, while directing OPM to closely oversee how the higher pay authority is used.