GS Pay Scale 2026 — Albuquerque, NM
2026 GS pay scale for the Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM locality area (18.33% locality rate). Full pay table for all 15 grades and 10 steps. Covers Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas (NM), and surrounding New Mexico communities.
The Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM locality rate of 18.33% ranks #47 out of 58 federal pay areas in 2026. This is among the lowest locality rates. The tradeoff is that Albuquerque, NM generally has a lower cost of living than higher-paying areas. Rates range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas (NM), and surrounding New Mexico communities.
Major federal employers in Albuquerque, NM include DOE (Sandia, Los Alamos), VA, Kirtland AFB, BIA, USFS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Albuquerque, NM but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Albuquerque, NM GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Albuquerque, NM 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 | $41,178 | $42,550 | $43,923 | $45,296 | $46,668 | $48,041 | $49,413 | $50,786 | $52,159 | $53,531 |
| GS-7 | $51,007 | $52,708 | $54,408 | $56,109 | $57,809 | $59,509 | $61,210 | $62,910 | $64,611 | $66,311 |
| GS-9 | $62,392 | $64,472 | $66,552 | $68,633 | $70,713 | $72,793 | $74,873 | $76,954 | $79,034 | $81,114 |
| GS-11 | $75,489 | $78,006 | $80,522 | $83,039 | $85,556 | $88,073 | $90,590 | $93,107 | $95,624 | $98,141 |
| GS-12 | $90,479 | $93,495 | $96,511 | $99,527 | $102,544 | $105,560 | $108,576 | $111,592 | $114,609 | $117,625 |
| GS-13 | $107,592 | $111,178 | $114,765 | $118,351 | $121,938 | $125,524 | $129,111 | $132,698 | $136,284 | $139,871 |
| GS-14 | $127,141 | $131,379 | $135,618 | $139,857 | $144,095 | $148,334 | $152,572 | $156,811 | $161,049 | $165,288 |
| GS-15 | $149,550 | $154,535 | $159,521 | $164,506 | $169,491 | $174,476 | $179,462 | $184,447 | $189,432 | $194,417 |
Source: OPM 2026 General Schedule pay tables.
Calculate Your Exact Albuquerque, NM Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM locality area.
How Albuquerque, NM Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Albuquerque, NM +18.33% | Denver, CO +30.52% | Phoenix, AZ +22.45% | Tucson, AZ +19.28% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $90,479 | $99,800 +$9,321 | $93,629 +$3,150 | $91,205 +$726 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $102,544 | $113,107 +$10,563 | $106,114 +$3,570 | $103,367 +$823 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $121,938 | $134,500 +$12,562 | $126,184 +$4,246 | $122,917 +$979 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $194,417 | $197,200* +$2,783 | $197,200* +$2,783 | $195,978 +$1,561 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Albuquerque, NM.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Denver, CO earn $10,563 more per year than those in Albuquerque, NM, while those in Tucson, AZ earn $823 more.
Career Salary Growth in Albuquerque, NM
A typical federal career progressing through the Albuquerque, NM locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder.
| Timeline | Position | Albuquerque, NM Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,007 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $62,392 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $75,489 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $96,511 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $121,938 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $165,288 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2–3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Albuquerque, NM
How much does a GS-12 make in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM locality area earns between $90,479 (Step 1) and $117,625 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 18.33% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Albuquerque, NM?
The Albuquerque, NM locality pay adjustment is 18.33% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1833 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $102,544.
How does Albuquerque, NM federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Albuquerque, NM has a 18.33% locality rate. Nearby areas include Denver, CO (30.52%), Phoenix, AZ (22.45%), Tucson, AZ (19.28%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Albuquerque, NM?
GS salaries in Albuquerque, NM are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 18.33% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $194,417, which is below the cap.
Which federal agencies have offices in Albuquerque, NM?
Major federal employers in the Albuquerque, NM area include DOE (Sandia, Los Alamos), VA, Kirtland AFB, BIA, USFS. Covers Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas (NM), and surrounding New Mexico communities.
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 Albuquerque, NM area at 18.33% reflects the local cost of labor.