GS Pay Calculator Cleveland, OH 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH locality area. Covers the Greater Cleveland area including Akron and Canton in northeast Ohio.
Cleveland, OH Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$104,519
$4,020/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$124,287
$4,780/biweekly
Locality Rate
+20.61%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Cleveland, OH Locality Pay in Context
The Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH locality rate of 20.61% ranks #26 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a below-average locality rate. Federal employees here may find their pay stretches further due to lower cost of living. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Greater Cleveland area including Akron and Canton in northeast Ohio.
Major federal employers in Cleveland, OH include VA, NASA Glenn, IRS, FBI, USPS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Cleveland, OH but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Cleveland, OH GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Cleveland, OH 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 | $41,971 | $43,370 | $44,769 | $46,168 | $47,567 | $48,966 | $50,366 | $51,765 | $53,164 | $54,563 |
| GS-7 | $51,990 | $53,723 | $55,456 | $57,190 | $58,923 | $60,656 | $62,389 | $64,122 | $65,855 | $67,589 |
| GS-9 | $63,594 | $65,714 | $67,835 | $69,955 | $72,075 | $74,196 | $76,316 | $78,436 | $80,557 | $82,677 |
| GS-11 | $76,943 | $79,509 | $82,074 | $84,639 | $87,205 | $89,770 | $92,335 | $94,901 | $97,466 | $100,032 |
| GS-12 | $92,222 | $95,296 | $98,371 | $101,445 | $104,519 | $107,594 | $110,668 | $113,742 | $116,817 | $119,891 |
| GS-13 | $109,665 | $113,320 | $116,976 | $120,632 | $124,287 | $127,943 | $131,599 | $135,254 | $138,910 | $142,566 |
| GS-14 | $129,591 | $133,911 | $138,231 | $142,551 | $146,872 | $151,192 | $155,512 | $159,832 | $164,153 | $168,473 |
| GS-15 | $152,432 | $157,513 | $162,594 | $167,676 | $172,757 | $177,838 | $182,920 | $188,001 | $193,082 | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Cleveland, OH Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OHBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+20.61%)
$30,389
Total Annual
$177,838
Biweekly
$6,840
Hourly: $85.21
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 Cleveland, OH Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Cleveland, OH +20.61% | Columbus, OH +19.30% | Pittsburgh, PA +21.64% | Detroit, MI +26.87% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $92,222 | $91,220 -$1,002 | $93,010 +$788 | $97,009 +$4,787 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $104,519 | $103,384 -$1,135 | $105,412 +$893 | $109,944 +$5,425 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $124,287 | $122,937 -$1,350 | $125,349 +$1,062 | $130,738 +$6,451 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $196,011 -$1,189 | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Cleveland, OH.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Detroit, MI earn $5,425 more per year than those in Cleveland, OH, while those in Columbus, OH earn $1,135 less.
Career Salary Growth in Cleveland, OH
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Cleveland, OH locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Cleveland, OH Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,990 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $63,594 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $76,943 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $98,371 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $124,287 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $168,473 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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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 Cleveland, OH
How much does a GS-12 make in Cleveland, OH in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH locality area earns between $92,222 (Step 1) and $119,891 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 20.61% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Cleveland, OH?
The Cleveland, OH locality pay adjustment is 20.61% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2061 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $104,519.
How does Cleveland, OH federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Cleveland, OH has a 20.61% locality rate. Nearby areas include Columbus, OH (19.30%), Pittsburgh, PA (21.64%), Detroit, MI (26.87%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Cleveland, OH?
GS salaries in Cleveland, OH are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 20.61% 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 Cleveland, OH?
Major federal employers in the Cleveland, OH area include VA, NASA Glenn, IRS, FBI, USPS. Covers the Greater Cleveland area including Akron and Canton in northeast Ohio.
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 Cleveland, OH area at 20.61% reflects the local cost of labor.