GS Pay Calculator 2026
Calculate your General Schedule (GS) pay based on grade, step, and locality. Includes what-if raise scenarios and biweekly paycheck breakdown with tax estimates.
How Federal GS Pay Works
The General Schedule (GS) is the predominant pay scale for federal employees, covering approximately 1.5 million workers across all agencies. Your GS salary depends on three factors: grade (GS-1 through GS-15),step (1-10 within each grade), and locality (geographic area adjustment).
The formula is simple: Total Pay = Base Pay × (1 + Locality %). For 2026, base pay increased by approximately 1.7% across all grades, with locality percentages ranging from 17.06% (Rest of US) to 35.15% (San Jose-San Francisco). The highest possible GS salary is capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026).
2026 GS Pay Scale Highlights
| Grade | Step 1 (Base) | Step 10 (Base) | DC Locality Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-7 | $39,810 | $51,756 | $69,316 |
| GS-9 | $48,708 | $63,318 | $84,804 |
| GS-11 | $58,935 | $76,618 | $102,620 |
| GS-12 | $70,662 | $91,861 | $123,048 |
| GS-13 | $84,025 | $109,233 | $146,312 |
| GS-14 | $99,305 | $129,098 | $172,924 |
| GS-15 | $116,823 | $151,875 | $197,200* |
* Capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 for 2026)
Step Progression Timeline
Within-grade step increases (WGIs) occur automatically based on satisfactory performance. From Step 1 to Step 10 takes 18 years: Steps 1-3 require 1 year each, Steps 4-6 require 2 years each, and Steps 7-10 require 3 years each. Each step increase is approximately a 3% raise.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+33.94%)
$50,044
Total Annual
$197,200*
* Capped at Executive Level IV
Biweekly
$7,585
Hourly: $94.49
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 49 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
Learn More About GS Pay
Understand how GS pay works, step increases, locality adjustments, and the Executive Level IV cap.
Read the Complete Guide to GS Pay 2026 →