The total number of SES members as well as the number of career execs within that cadre continued to decline slightly in 2015, while pay continued to increase slightly, according to new OPM data.
A report shows that the total number of SESers fell to 7,791, down each year from 8,022 in 2011. In that time, the number of career positions fell from 7,126 to 6,985, while the number of political appointees rose from 669 to 718; limited term and emergency appointees make up the rest.
By department, the largest number was at DoD, 1,241, followed by Justice, 786 and DHS, 594.
Average salary in 2015 was $170,500, up from $168, 214 in 2014 and $166,581 in 2011, while the median salary—the point where half are above and half are below—was $171,541, up from $168,786 in 2014 and $167,200 in 2011.
There were 385 new hires, up from 358 the prior year. Of those who separated, the large majority, 571, retired, while 223 quit, nine were fired, eight died, and six separated in other ways.