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)
Base Pay (Step 1)
$63,795
nationwide base
Base Pay (Step 10)
$82,938
nationwide base
DC Area (Step 5)
$96,843
33.94% locality
San Jose (Step 10)
$121,371
46.34% locality
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.
Common job titles:
Program AnalystContract Specialist (journeyman)Information Security AnalystBudget AnalystHR Specialist (full performance)Environmental Scientist
2026 GS-11 Base Pay — All Steps
Base pay before any locality adjustment. Your total pay = base × (1 + locality%). Source: OPM General Schedule 2026, effective January 11, 2026.
| 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 |
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 49 locality areas available in the calculator below.
Promotion Context
Previous grade (DC)
GS-9 Step 10
$91,815
Current grade (DC)
GS-11 Step 1 → Step 10
$85,447 → $111,087
Next grade (DC)
GS-12 Step 1
$102,415
-$8,672 vs. Step 10 (two-step rule sets actual promotion pay)
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.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+33.94%)
$50,044
Total Annual
$197,200*
* Capped at Executive Level IV
Biweekly
$7,585
Hourly: $94.49
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)
- • 60 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
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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.