Salary and Benefits

Peace Corps jobs give employees more than a chance to make an impact—they offer standard federal employment benefits including competitive salaries, time off, insurance, and retirement.

Applicants with federal jobs 

If you are a federal employee who accepts a federal position with the Peace Corps and you don’t have a break in service, you will retain all your benefits, including annual and sick leave, retirement, health, and life insurance benefits. Your service computation date will also remain unchanged. If you already have career status as a federal employee, you will retain that status. In accordance with Section 310 of Foreign Service Act, 22 USC 3950, you may be entitled to re-employment rights following a limited Peace Corps appointment.

Salary

Salaries at the Peace Corps conform to government-wide ranges approved by Congress. Each position has an assigned grade level on the Foreign Service pay plan, which sets the pay parameters for the position within the Peace Corps salary scale. Please refer to a specific vacancy announcement for a position's salary range.

Paid leave

Employees annually accrue 13 vacation days per year, which is increased to 20 days after just three years of service, and to 26 days after 15 years of service. Employees also accrue 13 days of sick leave per year. Skills and experience gained outside of the federal government but directly related to the duties of the Peace Corps position may be considered and applied to the annual leave accrual level. This must be negotiated prior to the entry on duty date.

Health insurance

Eligible employees can enroll in one of the many health plans offered to federal employees. These include fee-for-service, point of service, and health maintenance organizations. The cost is shared by the government and no physical examination is required.

Life insurance

Low-cost life insurance is available. Like health insurance, the cost is shared by the government and no physical examination is required.

Retirement

New employees are automatically enrolled in a three-tier system that includes Social Security, a basic pension plan (Federal Employees Retirement System), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Under the Thrift Savings Plan, employees can contribute up to the maximum annual limit. The government will match the employee's contribution, up to a maximum of five percent of the employee’s basic pay.