5 U.S.C. § 5301 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 5. Government Organization and Employees § 5301. Policy

(1) there be equal pay for substantially equal work within each local pay area;

(2) within each local pay area, pay distinctions be maintained in keeping with work and performance distinctions;

(3) Federal pay rates be comparable with non-Federal pay rates for the same levels of work within the same local pay area; and

(4) any existing pay disparities between Federal and non-Federal employees should be completely eliminated.