GS Pay Calculator Albany, NY 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Albany-Schenectady, NY locality area. Covers the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area in upstate New York.
Albany, NY Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$105,117
$4,043/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$124,998
$4,808/biweekly
Locality Rate
+21.30%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Albany, NY Locality Pay in Context
The Albany-Schenectady, NY locality rate of 21.30% ranks #21 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a mid-range locality rate, balancing regional cost of living with the federal pay structure. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area in upstate New York.
Major federal employers in Albany, NY include VA, IRS, SSA, Army (Watervliet Arsenal). Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Albany, NY but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Albany, NY GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Albany, NY locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $42,211 | $43,618 | $45,025 | $46,432 | $47,840 | $49,247 | $50,654 | $52,061 | $53,468 | $54,875 |
| GS-7 | $52,288 | $54,031 | $55,774 | $57,517 | $59,260 | $61,003 | $62,746 | $64,489 | $66,232 | $67,975 |
| GS-9 | $63,958 | $66,090 | $68,223 | $70,355 | $72,488 | $74,620 | $76,753 | $78,885 | $81,017 | $83,150 |
| GS-11 | $77,383 | $79,963 | $82,543 | $85,123 | $87,704 | $90,284 | $92,864 | $95,444 | $98,024 | $100,604 |
| GS-12 | $92,750 | $95,842 | $98,933 | $102,025 | $105,117 | $108,209 | $111,301 | $114,393 | $117,485 | $120,577 |
| GS-13 | $110,292 | $113,969 | $117,645 | $121,322 | $124,998 | $128,675 | $132,352 | $136,028 | $139,705 | $143,381 |
| GS-14 | $130,332 | $134,677 | $139,022 | $143,367 | $147,712 | $152,057 | $156,402 | $160,747 | $165,092 | $169,437 |
| GS-15 | $153,304 | $158,414 | $163,525 | $168,635 | $173,745 | $178,856 | $183,966 | $189,076 | $194,187 | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Albany, NY Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Albany-Schenectady, NY locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Albany-Schenectady, NYBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+21.3%)
$31,407
Total Annual
$178,856
Biweekly
$6,879
Hourly: $85.70
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
How Albany, NY Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Albany, NY +21.30% | New York, NY +36.16% | Buffalo, NY +19.14% | Hartford, CT +26.40% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $92,750 | $104,112 +$11,362 | $91,098 -$1,652 | $96,649 +$3,899 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $105,117 | $117,995 +$12,878 | $103,246 -$1,871 | $109,537 +$4,420 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $124,998 | $140,312 +$15,314 | $122,773 -$2,225 | $130,254 +$5,256 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $195,748 -$1,452 | $197,200* $0 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Albany, NY.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in New York, NY earn $12,878 more per year than those in Albany, NY, while those in Buffalo, NY earn $1,871 less.
Career Salary Growth in Albany, NY
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Albany, NY locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Albany, NY Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $52,288 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $63,958 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $77,383 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $98,933 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $124,998 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $169,437 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Albany, NY
How much does a GS-12 make in Albany, NY in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Albany-Schenectady, NY locality area earns between $92,750 (Step 1) and $120,577 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 21.30% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Albany, NY?
The Albany, NY locality pay adjustment is 21.30% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2130 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $105,117.
How does Albany, NY federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Albany, NY has a 21.30% locality rate. Nearby areas include New York, NY (36.16%), Buffalo, NY (19.14%), Hartford, CT (26.40%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Albany, NY?
GS salaries in Albany, NY are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 21.30% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Which federal agencies have offices in Albany, NY?
Major federal employers in the Albany, NY area include VA, IRS, SSA, Army (Watervliet Arsenal). Covers the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area in upstate New York.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Albany, NY area at 21.30% reflects the local cost of labor.