How FECA wage-loss compensation is figured
- Total disability: 66⅔% of your monthly pay (5 U.S.C. 8105).
- Partial disability: 66⅔% of the difference between your monthly pay and your monthly wage-earning capacity (8106(a)). OWCP finds the capacity as a percentage (your earnings divided by what your date-of-injury job pays now), multiplies your pay rate by it, and pays on the rest (20 CFR 10.403(c)-(e)). Actual earnings count when they fairly and reasonably represent your capacity; otherwise OWCP selects a position (10.403(a)). You may be asked to report your earnings (8106(b)).
- Dependents: with at least one dependent, an extra 8⅓% brings the rate to 75% (8110(b), 20 CFR 10.401). A spouse counts if living with you, getting regular support from you or owed court-ordered support; an unmarried child under 18 (or older and unable to support themselves) counts while living with you or getting regular support; a child who is a student keeps counting until 23 or four years of school after high school; a wholly dependent parent counts (8110(a), 8101(17)).
- Limits: monthly compensation can't exceed 75% of the monthly pay of GS-15 step 10. For total disability it can't be less than 75% of the monthly pay of GS-2 step 1, or your own monthly pay if that's lower (8112(a)). Under OPM's 2026 base table that's $10,268.81 and $1,587.06 a month.
- Waiting period: no compensation for the first 3 days of temporary disability unless it lasts more than 14 days or is followed by permanent disability (8117(a)).
- Continuation of pay: after a traumatic injury, when you file a timely claim your agency continues your regular pay for up to 45 days; compensation and the 3-day waiting period start only when that ends (8118).
OWCP pays wage-loss compensation every four weeks; this page estimates that amount as monthly × 12 ÷ 13. Cost-of-living increases (each March 1) and OWCP's own pay-rate figures can change the actual payment.
Total disability compensation by salary
| Annual pay | Monthly at 66⅔% | Monthly at 75% |
|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,666.67 | $1,875.00 |
| $45,000 | $2,500.00 | $2,812.50 |
| $60,000 | $3,333.33 | $3,750.00 |
| $80,000 | $4,444.44 | $5,000.00 |
| $100,000 | $5,555.56 | $6,250.00 |
| $125,000 | $6,944.44 | $7,812.50 |
| $150,000 | $8,333.33 | $9,375.00 |
| $175,000 | $9,722.22 | $10,268.81 |
| $200,000 | $10,268.81 | $10,268.81 |
Uses the 2026 maximum and minimum. For a permanent impairment award, see the schedule award calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does OWCP pay for total disability?
66⅔% of your monthly pay, or 75% if you have at least one dependent (5 U.S.C. 8105, 8110; 20 CFR 10.401). On $60,000 a year that's $3,333.33 a month without dependents or $3,750.00 with one.
How is partial disability compensation figured?
66⅔% (or 75% with a dependent) of the difference between your monthly pay and your monthly wage-earning capacity (5 U.S.C. 8106(a)). OWCP divides your earnings by what your date-of-injury job pays now, applies that percentage to your pay rate, and pays on the loss (20 CFR 10.403).
Is there a maximum FECA payment?
Yes. Monthly compensation, including the dependent increase, can't exceed 75% of the monthly pay of GS-15 step 10, which is $10,268.81 under the 2026 base pay table. For total disability it can't be less than 75% of the monthly pay of GS-2 step 1 ($1,587.06) or your own monthly pay, whichever is less (5 U.S.C. 8112).
Do I get paid for the first three days?
Compensation doesn't cover the first 3 days of temporary disability unless the disability lasts more than 14 days or leads to permanent disability (5 U.S.C. 8117). After a traumatic injury with a timely claim, your agency continues your regular pay for up to 45 days, and the waiting period and compensation start only when that ends (8118).