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Approving Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investment Workforce

SignedMay 29, 2026
Memorandum·Donald Trump·National Security
Why This Matters

Federal agencies can now offer salaries up to $400,000 for 400 critical positions related to national security investment programs.

This change allows agencies to attract highly skilled professionals needed to strengthen America's supply chains and national security.
Workers in investment, engineering, finance, and legal fields who are recruited for national security roles within federal agencies.
What You Need to Know

Federal agencies are now authorized to offer salaries as high as $400,000 for up to 400 critical positions that support national security investment programs. This initiative aims to attract top talent in investment, engineering, finance, and legal sectors to enhance the United States' capacity in critical minerals and advanced materials, which are vital for national defense and economic stability. The Office of Personnel Management will oversee the allocation of these positions and ensure that the pay is used appropriately to recruit exceptionally qualified individuals.

This move responds to the growing need for skilled professionals to bolster America's supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign sources for essential technologies. The administration emphasizes the importance of having a capable workforce to execute major investment programs quickly and effectively. By approving this pay authority, the government aims to strengthen industrial resilience and protect long-term strategic interests, ensuring that the nation remains competitive and secure in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Who is affected?

Workers in investment, engineering, finance, and legal fields who are recruited for national security roles within federal agencies.

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Presidential Actions

Approving Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investment Workforce

Presidential Memoranda

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

SUBJECT:       Approving Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investment Workforce

Pursuant to the authority vested in me under 5 U.S.C. 5377(d)(2) and 5 C.F.R. 535.103(a)(3) and 535.104(c), I hereby approve the use of critical position pay for up to 400 positions supporting investment programs related to national security.  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is authorized to allocate these positions to executive departments and agencies (agencies) and to approve agency requests under this framework, including setting rates of basic pay of up to $400,000, consistent with market comparability and national security urgency.

This action advances the rapid recruitment of the exceptionally skilled investment, engineering, financial, and legal professionals needed to expand the Nation’s capacity in critical minerals, advanced materials, and other essential components of our strategic supply chains.  These capabilities are foundational to America’s economic strength and national security.

Consistent with my Administration’s direction to accelerate American mineral production and secure essential technologies, the United States must have a workforce capable of executing major investment programs at the scale and speed required to reduce dependence on foreign sources, strengthen industrial resilience, and protect the Nation’s long‑term strategic interests.  Today’s approval under the critical position pay authority enables agencies to recruit the expert talent required to fortify United States supply chain resilience, secure access to critical minerals and advanced technologies, and advance priority investment programs essential to our national defense and economic security.

I direct OPM to provide appropriate oversight of agency use of this authority and to establish such conditions as necessary to ensure that critical position pay is used only to the extent required to recruit or retain exceptionally well-qualified individuals, consistent with 5 U.S.C. 5377.

Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Approving Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investment Workforce — PILLARS