GS-13 Pay Scale 2026
Senior individual contributor, team lead, or first-line supervisor in complex programs. Base pay: $90,925 (Step 1) to $118,204 (Step 10) — see full table with all locality adjustments below.
GS-13 Pay at a Glance (2026)
Base Pay (Step 1)
$90,925
nationwide base
Base Pay (Step 10)
$118,204
nationwide base
DC Area (Step 5)
$138,024
33.94% locality
San Jose (Step 10)
$172,980
46.34% locality
Who Works at GS-13?
GS-13 is the most searched federal pay grade, representing senior-level subject matter experts and team leaders. Promotion from GS-12 to GS-13 is competitive — there is no automatic two-grade interval above GS-12. Many GS-13 positions involve significant program responsibility, contracting oversight, or supervisory duties.
Typical qualifications: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12. Competitive positions often require a demonstrated record of independent project leadership or technical expertise.
Common job titles:
Supervisory Contract SpecialistSenior Special Agent (FBI, DEA)IT Project ManagerSenior Policy AnalystBranch ChiefSenior Financial Analyst
2026 GS-13 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-13 | $90,925 | $93,956 | $96,987 | $100,018 | $103,049 | $106,080 | $109,111 | $112,142 | $115,173 | $118,204 |
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-13 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% | $133,060 | $150,802 | $172,980 |
| New York, NY | +37.95% | $125,431 | $142,156 | $163,062 |
| Los Angeles, CA | +36.47% | $124,085 | $140,631 | $161,313 |
| Houston, TX | +35.00% | $122,749 | $139,116 | $159,575 |
| Washington, DC | +33.94% | $121,785 | $138,024 | $158,322 |
FedTools 2026 analysis of OPM salary tables. All 49 locality areas available in the calculator below.
Promotion Context
Previous grade (DC)
GS-12 Step 10
$133,142
Current grade (DC)
GS-13 Step 1 → Step 10
$121,785 → $158,322
Next grade (DC)
GS-14 Step 1
$143,913
-$14,409 vs. Step 10 (two-step rule sets actual promotion pay)
Promotions above GS-12 are competitive and not automatic. Within-grade step increases require satisfactory performance ratings and time-in-grade.
Calculate Your GS-13 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-13 Pay
What is the GS-13 pay range in 2026?
The GS-13 base pay range in 2026 is $90,925 (Step 1) to $118,204 (Step 10), before locality pay is added. With the lowest locality adjustment (Rest of U.S., 17.06%), total pay ranges from $106,437 to $138,370. In the Washington, DC area (33.94% locality), GS-13 earns $121,785 (Step 1) to $158,322 (Step 10).
How long does it take to advance from GS-13 Step 1 to Step 10?
Advancement through the 10 steps at GS-13 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-13 position?
1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12. Competitive positions often require a demonstrated record of independent project leadership or technical expertise.
How does locality pay affect GS-13 salaries?
GS-13 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-13 total pay ranges from $120,629 (Rest of U.S.) to $150,802 (San Jose, CA) — a difference of $30,173.
What is the pay difference between GS-13 and GS-14?
In the Washington, DC area, a GS-13 Step 10 earns $158,322 compared to a GS-14 Step 1 at $143,913. That is a difference of -$14,409 upon promotion from GS-13 to GS-14, before any within-grade step adjustments.