Federal Take-Home Pay in Rest of U.S. 2026
Estimate your biweekly net paycheck as a GS federal employee in Rest of U.S. (Rest of United States, 17.06% locality). Accounts for FEHB premiums, FERS retirement contributions, TSP, Social Security, Medicare, and 2026 federal income tax withholding. Applies to federal duty stations outside the named locality pay areas.
The Rest of United States locality rate of 17.06% ranks #58 out of 58 federal pay areas in 2026. This below-average locality rate means a lower gross — but take-home pay often stretches further due to lower regional cost of living. Locality rates range from 17.06% to 46.34% (San Jose, CA).
Major federal employers in Rest of U.S. include VA, USDA, USPS, DOD, SSA. Your locality rate is based on your duty station, not where you live — so teleworking from a different pay area may change your rate.
GS-12 Step 5 Paycheck Breakdown — Rest of U.S.
Sample biweekly paycheck at GS-12 Step 5 in the Rest of United States locality area (17.06%). Uses FERS-FRAE 4.4%, 5% traditional TSP, BCBS Basic Self Only, single filer, no state tax.
| Item | Biweekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay (17.06% locality) | $3,901.65 | $101,443 |
| − FEHB Premium (employee share) | ($133.77) | ($3,478) |
| − Social Security Tax (6.2%) | ($233.61) | ($6,074) |
| − Medicare Tax (1.45%) | ($54.63) | ($1,420) |
| − TSP Traditional (5%) | ($195.08) | ($5,072) |
| − Federal Income Tax Withholding (est.) | ($519.13) | ($13,497) |
| − FERS-FRAE Contribution (4.4%) | ($171.67) | ($4,463) |
| = Net Biweekly Take-Home | $2,593.76 | $67,438/yr |
Sources: OPM 2026 GS pay tables, IRS Pub 15-T (2026), SSA 2026 COLA Fact Sheet, 5 CFR Part 892. All amounts are estimates.
Estimate Your Take-Home Pay in Rest of U.S.
Use the interactive calculator below to enter your specific grade, step, FERS tier, TSP elections, and FEHB premium. Pre-set to the Rest of United States locality area (17.06%).
| Deduction | Biweekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
Gross Biweekly Pay Before any deductions | $3,901.65 | $101,443 |
− FEHB Premium (employee share) Pre-tax (FIT + FICA) | ($133.77) | ($3,478) |
− Social Security Tax (6.2%) FICA | ($233.61) | ($6,074) |
− Medicare Tax (1.45%) FICA | ($54.63) | ($1,420) |
− TSP Traditional (5%) Pre-tax (FIT only) | ($195.08) | ($5,072) |
− Federal Income Tax Withholding (est.) Federal income tax (est.) | ($519.13) | ($13,497) |
− FERS-FRAE Contribution (4.4%) After-tax | ($171.67) | ($4,463) |
| = Net Biweekly Take-Home | $2,593.76 | $67,438/yr |
Frequently Asked Questions: Take-Home Pay in Rest of U.S.
What is GS-12 take-home pay in Rest of U.S. in 2026?
A GS-12 Step 5 federal employee in Rest of U.S. earns $101,443 gross annually (17.06% locality applied). After FERS-FRAE contributions (4.4%), 5% traditional TSP, FEHB BCBS Basic Self Only ($133.77 biweekly), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and estimated federal income tax withholding, the net biweekly take-home is approximately $2,593.76 — or about $67,438 per year.
How does the Rest of U.S. locality rate affect my paycheck?
The Rest of U.S. locality pay adjustment is 17.06% in 2026. This means your GS base salary is multiplied by 1.1706 before any deductions. For a GS-12 Step 5 employee, the 17.06% locality adjustment adds $14,784 to annual pay ($568.62 biweekly), but all of that additional pay is also subject to FICA taxes, FERS contributions, and federal income tax.
What percentage of a GS paycheck goes to taxes and deductions in Rest of U.S.?
For a typical GS-12 Step 5 employee in Rest of U.S. under the standard assumptions (FERS-FRAE 4.4%, 5% TSP, BCBS Basic Self Only, single filer), total deductions are approximately $1,307.89 per biweekly paycheck — or 33.5% of gross. This includes Social Security ($233.61), Medicare ($54.63), estimated federal income tax ($519.13), FERS ($171.67), FEHB ($133.77), and TSP ($195.08).
How does Rest of U.S. compare to neighboring localities for take-home pay?
Rest of U.S. has a 17.06% locality rate, ranking #58 out of 58 pay areas in 2026. Nearby areas include Washington, DC (33.94%), Atlanta, GA (23.79%), Denver, CO (30.52%). A higher locality rate means higher gross pay — but also higher dollar amounts withheld for FERS, TSP (if elected as a percentage), and FICA taxes.
Does FERS reduce my federal income tax in any locality?
No — FERS employee contributions are after-tax regardless of locality. The Rest of U.S. locality rate of 17.06% raises your gross pay, but FERS (4.4% for most active employees) is deducted after all taxes are computed. This means a GS-12 Step 5 employee in Rest of U.S. pays approximately $171.67 biweekly to FERS ($4463/yr), with no income-tax reduction for that contribution.
Does state income tax affect take-home pay for federal employees in Rest of U.S.?
The default estimate above assumes no state income tax. If you live in a state that taxes income and work in Rest of U.S., enter your state's rate in the calculator. States with no income tax (e.g., Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada) save federal employees a significant amount. Applies to federal duty stations outside the named locality pay areas.