Dayton, OH Federal Pay at a Glance

GS-12 Step 5
$103,159
$3,968/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$122,670
$4,718/biweekly
Locality Rate
+19.04%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$195,584
$7,522/biweekly

Dayton, OH Locality Pay in Context

The Dayton-Springfield-Sidney, OH locality rate of 19.04% ranks #38 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 Dayton, Springfield, Sidney, and surrounding southwest Ohio communities. Major Air Force hub.

Major federal employers in Dayton, OH include Wright-Patterson AFB, VA, DFAS, IRS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Dayton, OH but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.

Dayton, OH GS Pay Table 2026

Annual salaries for federal employees in the Dayton, OH locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.

GradeStep 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8Step 9Step 10
GS-5$41,425$42,806$44,186$45,567$46,948$48,329$49,710$51,091$52,472$53,853
GS-7$51,313$53,024$54,735$56,445$58,156$59,866$61,577$63,288$64,998$66,709
GS-9$62,766$64,859$66,952$69,044$71,137$73,230$75,323$77,415$79,508$81,601
GS-11$75,942$78,474$81,006$83,538$86,069$88,601$91,133$93,665$96,197$98,729
GS-12$91,022$94,056$97,090$100,125$103,159$106,193$109,228$112,262$115,296$118,331
GS-13$108,237$111,845$115,453$119,061$122,670$126,278$129,886$133,494$137,102$140,710
GS-14$127,904$132,168$136,432$140,696$144,960$149,224$153,488$157,752$162,016$166,280
GS-15$150,448$155,463$160,478$165,493$170,508$175,523$180,538$185,554$190,569$195,584

Calculate Your Exact Dayton, OH Salary

Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Dayton-Springfield-Sidney, OH locality area.

Calculate Your GS Pay

2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6

Locality: Dayton-Springfield-Sidney, OH
Base Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+19.04%)
$28,074
Total Annual
$175,523
Biweekly
$6,751
Hourly: $84.10

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 Dayton, OH Compares to Nearby Localities

PositionDayton, OH
+19.04%
Columbus, OH
+19.30%
Cincinnati, OH
+21.69%
Indianapolis, IN
+18.63%
GS-12 Step 1$91,022$91,220
+$198
$93,048
+$2,026
$90,708
-$314
GS-12 Step 5$103,159$103,384
+$225
$105,455
+$2,296
$102,804
-$355
GS-13 Step 5$122,670$122,937
+$267
$125,400
+$2,730
$122,247
-$423
GS-15 Step 10$195,584$196,011
+$427
$197,200*
+$1,616
$194,910
-$674

* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Dayton, OH.

At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Cincinnati, OH earn $2,296 more per year than those in Dayton, OH, while those in Indianapolis, IN earn $355 less.

Career Salary Growth in Dayton, OH

Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Dayton, OH locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:

TimelinePositionDayton, OH Salary
Year 1GS-7 Step 1$51,313
Year 3GS-9 Step 1$62,766
Year 5GS-11 Step 1$75,942
Year 7GS-12 Step 3$97,090
Year 12GS-13 Step 5$122,670
Year 20GS-14 Step 10$166,280

Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.

Related Federal Calculators

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Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Dayton, OH

How much does a GS-12 make in Dayton, OH in 2026?

A GS-12 in the Dayton-Springfield-Sidney, OH locality area earns between $91,022 (Step 1) and $118,331 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 19.04% locality adjustment applied.

What is the locality pay percentage for Dayton, OH?

The Dayton, OH locality pay adjustment is 19.04% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1904 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $103,159.

How does Dayton, OH federal pay compare to nearby areas?

Dayton, OH has a 19.04% locality rate. Nearby areas include Columbus, OH (19.30%), Cincinnati, OH (21.69%), Indianapolis, IN (18.63%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.

What is the GS pay cap in Dayton, OH?

GS salaries in Dayton, OH are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 19.04% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $195,584, which is below the cap.

Which federal agencies have offices in Dayton, OH?

Major federal employers in the Dayton, OH area include Wright-Patterson AFB, VA, DFAS, IRS. Covers Dayton, Springfield, Sidney, and surrounding southwest Ohio communities. Major Air Force hub.

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 Dayton, OH area at 19.04% reflects the local cost of labor.