GovernmentEconomy

What does the Office of Personnel Management do?

Data updated January 23, 2025

The Office of Personnel Management is an independent government agency responsible for managing the civil service of the federal government. Its functions include coordinating the recruitment of new government employees, managing health insurance and retirement benefits programs, and providing resources for job seekers. Established in 1979, it serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the federal government.

Other names and abbreviations for the Office of Personnel Management:

  • OPM
In FY 2024,

$118B

was spent by the Office of Personnel Management
In FY 2024,

1.7%

of federal spending was by the Office of Personnel Management
The Office of Personnel Management spent $118 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 1.7% of the $6.8 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked eighth among federal agencies in total spending.

The Office of Personnel Management accounted for 1.7% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

10 government agencies accounted for 97.0% of federal spending in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Since FY 1980, overall federal spending has risen 193.7%, while Office of Personnel Management spending has increased 102.6%.
The department’s spending grew less than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget decreased. In FY 2024, the Office of Personnel Management accounted for 1.7% of all federal spending, 0.8 percentage points lower than in FY 1980. In the last 10 years, that share has decreased 0.7 points.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Office of Personnel Management’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to OPM, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the Office of Personnel Management's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all OPM spending.

How did the Office of Personnel Management spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government spending isolated to OPM, FY 2024

Who leads the Office of Personnel Management?

OPM is headed by the director of the Office of Personnel Management, who is nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and then sworn into office. The director oversees federal human resources management and policy implementation across the federal workforce. This appointed position typically ends when the appointee resigns, is replaced, or when a new president assumes office and appoints their own leadership, though some directors may serve temporarily during transitions between administrations.

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo