Federal Step Increases: The 18-Year GS Timeline Explained

Last Updated: January 29, 2026 Reading Time: 9 min

Most federal employees know they'll get step increases over time. Fewer know exactly when those increases arrive, or that it takes 18 years to max out at Step 10.

Understanding the step increase timeline helps you plan your salary growth, know when your next raise is coming, and avoid surprises if you get promoted or receive a Quality Step Increase.

Key Takeaways

• It takes 18 years to go from Step 1 to Step 10 in your GS grade
• Each step increase is worth approximately 3% of your base pay
• Step increases require acceptable performance (Fully Successful or better), but denials are rare (1 in 1,000)
• Quality Step Increases (QSIs) can accelerate your progression for outstanding performance
• Promotions restart your step clock at the new grade

The Complete Step Increase Timeline

GS employees advance through 10 steps within their grade. The waiting periods get longer as you climb.

Step Advancement	Waiting Period	Cumulative Time
Step 1 to Step 2	52 weeks (1 year)	1 year
Step 2 to Step 3	52 weeks (1 year)	2 years
Step 3 to Step 4	52 weeks (1 year)	3 years
Step 4 to Step 5	104 weeks (2 years)	5 years
Step 5 to Step 6	104 weeks (2 years)	7 years
Step 6 to Step 7	104 weeks (2 years)	9 years
Step 7 to Step 8	156 weeks (3 years)	12 years
Step 8 to Step 9	156 weeks (3 years)	15 years
Step 9 to Step 10	156 weeks (3 years)	18 years

The pattern is easy to remember:

• Years 1-3: Three increases with 1-year waits (Steps 2, 3, 4)
• Years 4-9: Three increases with 2-year waits (Steps 5, 6, 7)
• Years 10-18: Three increases with 3-year waits (Steps 8, 9, 10)

How Much Each Step Increase Is Worth

Each step increase is worth approximately 3% to 3.3% of your base pay. Here's what that looks like in dollars for 2026:

Grade	Step Increase Value (2026)	Approximate %
GS-5	$1,183	3.2%
GS-7	$1,437	3.3%
GS-9	$1,782	3.3%
GS-11	$2,126	3.2%
GS-12	$2,568	3.3%
GS-13	$3,054	3.3%
GS-14	$3,615	3.3%
GS-15	$4,213	3.3%

Real example: A GS-12 at Step 5 earns $81,536 in base pay. After their step increase to Step 6, they earn $84,104. That's $2,568 more per year, and this is before locality pay is applied. With DC locality (33.94%), the actual increase is about $3,439.

Three Requirements for Step Increases

You don't automatically get a step increase just because time passed. You need to meet three requirements.

1. Acceptable Performance

Your most recent performance rating must be at least Level 3 (Fully Successful) or equivalent. Anything below can result in denial.

The good news: denials are extremely rare. According to MSPB data, agencies deny step increases to only 1 in every 1,000 employees.

2. Complete the Waiting Period

You must complete the required weeks in a pay status. Your waiting period starts:

• On your first day in federal service
• After a promotion or other "equivalent increase"
• After returning from extended leave without pay (over 52 weeks)

3. No Equivalent Increase During the Waiting Period

A promotion counts as an equivalent increase and restarts your step clock. However, a Quality Step Increase (QSI) does not restart your clock, which is important to understand.

Quality Step Increases (QSIs): The Fast Track

A Quality Step Increase is an extra step awarded for outstanding performance. It lets high performers advance faster than the standard 18-year timeline.

QSI Eligibility

To qualify for a QSI, you must:

• Be in a permanent GS position below Step 10
• Have the highest performance rating available (typically Level 5 "Outstanding")
• Demonstrate sustained exceptional performance over at least 12 months
• Not have received a QSI within the previous 52 weeks
• Be expected to continue at the same high level

Important: A QSI is not automatic, even with an Outstanding rating. Your supervisor must nominate you, and management must approve it.

The QSI Waiting Period Trap

Here's something most employees don't realize: a QSI can change your waiting period if it moves you to certain steps.

Regular rule: A QSI does NOT restart your WGI clock. The time you've already waited counts toward your next regular step increase.

Exception: If a QSI moves you to Step 4 or Step 7, you now have a longer waiting period for the next step.

Example:

• You're at GS-12, Step 3 with 30 weeks toward your next step increase
• You receive a QSI and move to Step 4
• Your waiting period for Step 5 is now 104 weeks (not 52)
• But your 30 weeks already served counts toward the 104
• You need 74 more weeks for Step 5

What Happens When You Get Promoted

Promotions are great for your career, but they reset your step increase clock. Here's what you need to know.

The Two-Step Promotion Rule

When you're promoted, your new salary is calculated using the two-step promotion rule (5 CFR 531.214):

1. Take your current base pay (before locality)
2. Add the value of two step increases from your current grade
3. Find the lowest step in the new grade that equals or exceeds this amount

Promotion Example

Current: GS-11, Step 5 = $72,939 (2026 base pay)

• Two GS-11 steps = $2,126 × 2 = $4,252
• Minimum needed in GS-12 = $72,939 + $4,252 = $77,191
• GS-12, Step 3 = $78,022 (first step that exceeds $77,191)
• Result: Promoted to GS-12, Step 3

Key Promotion Points

• Your step number typically decreases when promoted (Step 5 to Step 3 in this example)
• You still get approximately a 10% salary increase
• Your waiting period restarts at zero in the new grade
• The waiting period depends on your new step (52, 104, or 156 weeks)

Can Your Step Increase Be Denied?

Yes, but it's rare. Step increases can only be denied if your performance is rated below Fully Successful (Level 3).

What Happens After Denial

If your step increase is denied:

1. Your agency must review your performance every 52 weeks
2. You can receive the step increase at any time once performance improves
3. You can request reconsideration within 15 days of the denial notice

Appeal Options

If you believe your denial was improper, you have options:

• Internal agency grievance (usually required first)
• Negotiated grievance procedure if you're covered by a union CBA
• MSPB appeal if your denial is affirmed after reconsideration

If you win your appeal, you may receive retroactive pay with interest.

Step Increase Terminology and Comparisons

WGI vs. Step Increase: What's the Difference?

Nothing. They're the same thing.

Term	Usage
Within-Grade Increase (WGI)	Official OPM term, used in regulations and SF-50s
Step Increase	Informal term, used in everyday conversation
Periodic Step Increase	Less common, emphasizes the time-based nature

When you see "WGI" on your SF-50, it means you received a step increase.

Step Increases vs. Annual Pay Raises

Don't confuse step increases with annual pay raises. They're different things.

	Step Increases	Annual Pay Raises
Timing	Based on your waiting period	Same date for all employees (January)
Amount	~3% per step	Varies by year (1% for 2026)
Who gets it	Individuals, based on tenure	Everyone in the GS system
Can be denied	Yes, for poor performance	No (set by Congress/President)

Both stack together. In a year when you get both a pay raise and a step increase, you receive both.

Calculate Your Current and Future Pay

Want to see exactly what you earn now and after your next step increase? Our GS Pay Calculator shows your salary by grade, step, and locality, including all 53 locality pay areas.

Use it to:

• See your current salary with locality pay
• Calculate your next step increase amount
• Compare pay across different grades and localities

Calculate Your GS Pay →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to go from Step 1 to Step 10 in federal service?

It takes 18 years of continuous service with acceptable performance to advance from GS Step 1 to Step 10 within the same grade. The waiting periods are: 1 year each for Steps 2-4, 2 years each for Steps 5-7, and 3 years each for Steps 8-10.

How much is a federal step increase worth?

Each step increase is worth approximately 3% of your base pay, ranging from 3.1% to 3.3% depending on grade. For example, a GS-12 step increase is worth $2,568 annually in 2026.

Can my supervisor deny my step increase?

Yes, but it's rare. Step increases can only be denied if your performance is rated below Fully Successful (Level 3). According to MSPB data, only 1 in 1,000 federal employees are denied step increases. If denied, you can appeal through agency grievance procedures or MSPB.

What is a Quality Step Increase (QSI)?

A QSI is an additional step increase awarded for sustained outstanding performance (Level 5 rating). It allows high performers to advance through steps faster than the standard schedule. QSIs require nomination by your supervisor and are not automatic even with an Outstanding rating.

What happens to my step when I get promoted to a higher grade?

When promoted, your pay is set using the two-step promotion rule. Your agency adds the value of two step increases from your old grade to your current pay, then places you at the lowest step in the new grade that equals or exceeds that amount. This typically means your step number decreases, but you still get approximately a 10% raise.

Does my waiting period restart when I get promoted?

Yes. A promotion is considered an equivalent increase that restarts your within-grade increase waiting period. You'll wait 52 weeks for your next step if you're in Steps 1-3 of the new grade, 104 weeks for Steps 4-6, or 156 weeks for Steps 7-9.

Related Resources

• GS Pay Calculator: Calculate your exact salary by grade, step, and locality
• GS Pay Guide 2026: Complete guide to federal pay tables and locality rates
• 2026 Federal Pay Raise: What the 1% raise means for your paycheck
• FERS Retirement Calculator: See how your High-3 affects your pension

Sources

• OPM Within-Grade Increases Fact Sheet
• OPM Quality Step Increase Fact Sheet
• OPM Promotions Fact Sheet
• 5 CFR 531 Subpart D
• OPM 2026 GS Salary Tables
• Government Executive: WGI Denial Rates