GS-11 Pay Scale 2026
Full-performance level for many administrative and technical positions; Ph.D. entry level. Base pay: $63,795 (Step 1) to $82,938 (Step 10) — see full table with all locality adjustments below.
GS-11 pay at a glance (2026)
Nationwide base pay and representative locality-adjusted figures.
Who works at GS-11?
GS-11 represents the full-performance level for many two-grade-interval positions (e.g., Program Analyst, Contract Specialist). It is also the standard entry point for Ph.D. holders and JDs with bar admission. Employees at this level work independently with minimal supervision.
Typical qualifications: Ph.D. or 3 full years of graduate education, OR 1 year of specialized experience at GS-9 level. Attorney positions typically require bar admission.
2026 GS-11 base pay — all steps
Base pay before any locality adjustment. Total pay = base × (1 + locality%).
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-11 | $63,795 | $65,922 | $68,049 | $70,176 | $72,303 | $74,430 | $76,557 | $78,684 | $80,811 | $82,938 |
Source: OPM General Schedule 2026, effective January 11, 2026. Step 1–3 increments occur after 1 year; Steps 4–6 after 2 years; Steps 7–10 after 3 years. All increases require a satisfactory (or better) performance rating.
GS-11 pay in top 5 localities (2026)
Total annual pay (base + locality) at Steps 1, 5, and 10.
| Locality area | Locality % | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | +46.34% | $93,358 | $105,808 | $121,371 |
| New York, NY | +37.95% | $88,005 | $99,742 | $114,413 |
| Los Angeles, CA | +36.47% | $87,061 | $98,672 | $113,185 |
| Houston, TX | +35.00% | $86,123 | $97,609 | $111,966 |
| Washington, DC | +33.94% | $85,447 | $96,843 | $111,087 |
FedTools 2026 analysis of OPM salary tables. All 2026 locality areas available in the calculator below.
Promotion context
Calculate your GS-11 salary
Select your step and locality to see your exact pay breakdown — including biweekly paycheck, TSP impact, and what-if raise scenarios.
Frequently asked questions: GS-11 pay
What is the GS-11 pay range in 2026?
The GS-11 base pay range in 2026 is $63,795 (Step 1) to $82,938 (Step 10), before locality pay is added. With the lowest locality adjustment (Rest of U.S., 17.06%), total pay ranges from $74,678 to $97,087. In the Washington, DC area (33.94% locality), GS-11 earns $85,447 (Step 1) to $111,087 (Step 10).
How long does it take to advance from GS-11 Step 1 to Step 10?
Advancement through the 10 steps at GS-11 takes approximately 18 years with satisfactory performance ratings. Steps 1–3 require 1 year each (3 years total), Steps 4–6 require 2 years each (6 years total), and Steps 7–10 require 3 years each (12 years total), for a total of 18 years from Step 1 to Step 10.
What are the typical qualifications for a GS-11 position?
Ph.D. or 3 full years of graduate education, OR 1 year of specialized experience at GS-9 level. Attorney positions typically require bar admission.
How does locality pay affect GS-11 salaries?
GS-11 salaries vary significantly by location. The 2026 locality multiplier ranges from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose–San Francisco, CA). At Step 5, GS-11 total pay ranges from $84,638 (Rest of U.S.) to $105,808 (San Jose, CA) — a difference of $21,170.
What is the pay difference between GS-11 and GS-12?
In the Washington, DC area, a GS-11 Step 10 earns $111,087 compared to a GS-12 Step 1 at $102,415. That is a difference of -$8,672 upon promotion from GS-11 to GS-12, before any within-grade step adjustments.