GS Pay Calculator Albuquerque, NM 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM locality area. Covers Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas (NM), and surrounding New Mexico communities.
Albuquerque, NM Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$101,937
$3,921/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$121,217
$4,662/biweekly
Locality Rate
+17.63%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$193,267
$7,433/biweekly
Albuquerque, NM Locality Pay in Context
The Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM locality rate of 17.63% ranks #47 out of 48 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 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (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 | $40,934 | $42,299 | $43,663 | $45,028 | $46,392 | $47,757 | $49,121 | $50,486 | $51,850 | $53,215 |
| GS-7 | $50,706 | $52,396 | $54,086 | $55,777 | $57,467 | $59,157 | $60,848 | $62,538 | $64,228 | $65,919 |
| GS-9 | $62,023 | $64,091 | $66,159 | $68,227 | $70,295 | $72,362 | $74,430 | $76,498 | $78,566 | $80,634 |
| GS-11 | $75,042 | $77,544 | $80,046 | $82,548 | $85,050 | $87,552 | $90,054 | $92,556 | $95,058 | $97,560 |
| GS-12 | $89,943 | $92,942 | $95,940 | $98,939 | $101,937 | $104,935 | $107,934 | $110,932 | $113,931 | $116,929 |
| GS-13 | $106,955 | $110,520 | $114,086 | $117,651 | $121,217 | $124,782 | $128,347 | $131,913 | $135,478 | $139,043 |
| GS-14 | $126,389 | $130,602 | $134,816 | $139,029 | $143,243 | $147,456 | $151,670 | $155,883 | $160,097 | $164,310 |
| GS-15 | $148,665 | $153,621 | $158,577 | $163,533 | $168,489 | $173,444 | $178,400 | $183,356 | $188,312 | $193,267 |
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.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NMBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+17.63%)
$25,995
Total Annual
$173,444
Biweekly
$6,671
Hourly: $83.11
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 Albuquerque, NM Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Albuquerque, NM +17.63% | Denver, CO +25.18% | Phoenix, AZ +20.32% | Tucson, AZ +17.89% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $89,943 | $95,716 +$5,773 | $92,000 +$2,057 | $90,142 +$199 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $101,937 | $108,480 +$6,543 | $104,268 +$2,331 | $102,162 +$225 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $121,217 | $128,997 +$7,780 | $123,989 +$2,772 | $121,484 +$267 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $193,267 | $197,200* +$3,933 | $197,200* +$3,933 | $193,694 +$427 |
* 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 $6,543 more per year than those in Albuquerque, NM, while those in Tucson, AZ earn $225 more.
Career Salary Growth in Albuquerque, NM
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Albuquerque, NM locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Albuquerque, NM Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $50,706 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $62,023 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $75,042 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $95,940 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $121,217 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $164,310 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Related Federal Calculators
💰
GS Pay Calculator
📊Compare pay across all 49 locality areas.
High-3 Salary Calculator
🏛️Calculate your highest 3 consecutive years of pay for retirement.
FERS Retirement Calculator
📈Estimate your federal pension based on your high-3 salary.
TSP Calculator
📋Project your Thrift Savings Plan growth and withdrawals.
Severance Pay Calculator
📖Estimate federal severance pay based on years of service.
Complete GS Pay Guide 2026
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
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 $89,943 (Step 1) and $116,929 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 17.63% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Albuquerque, NM?
The Albuquerque, NM locality pay adjustment is 17.63% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1763 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $101,937.
How does Albuquerque, NM federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Albuquerque, NM has a 17.63% locality rate. Nearby areas include Denver, CO (25.18%), Phoenix, AZ (20.32%), Tucson, AZ (17.89%). 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 17.63% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $193,267, 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 17.63% reflects the local cost of labor.