GS-5 Pay Scale 2026
Entry-level positions requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Base pay: $34,799 (Step 1) to $45,239 (Step 10) — see full table with all locality adjustments below.
GS-5 Pay at a Glance (2026)
Base Pay (Step 1)
$34,799
nationwide base
Base Pay (Step 10)
$45,239
nationwide base
DC Area (Step 5)
$52,825
33.94% locality
San Jose (Step 10)
$66,203
46.34% locality
Who Works at GS-5?
GS-5 is the most common federal entry point for college graduates. Many competitive development programs (Pathways Recent Graduates, agency-specific schedules) start here.
Typical qualifications: Bachelor's degree (any field) or 4 years of general experience, or equivalent combination. Positions targeting specific fields may require a relevant degree.
Common job titles:
Administrative AssistantProgram Support SpecialistHuman Resources AssistantBudget Analyst (entry)Paralegal SpecialistPark Ranger (entry)
2026 GS-5 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-5 | $34,799 | $35,959 | $37,119 | $38,279 | $39,439 | $40,599 | $41,759 | $42,919 | $44,079 | $45,239 |
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-5 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% | $50,925 | $57,715 | $66,203 |
| New York, NY | +37.95% | $48,005 | $54,406 | $62,407 |
| Los Angeles, CA | +36.47% | $47,490 | $53,822 | $61,738 |
| Houston, TX | +35.00% | $46,979 | $53,243 | $61,073 |
| Washington, DC | +33.94% | $46,610 | $52,825 | $60,593 |
FedTools 2026 analysis of OPM salary tables. All 49 locality areas available in the calculator below.
Promotion Context
Current grade (DC)
GS-5 Step 1 → Step 10
$46,610 → $60,593
Next grade (DC)
GS-7 Step 1
$57,736
-$2,857 vs. Step 10 (two-step rule sets actual promotion pay)
Calculate Your GS-5 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
Related Federal Calculators
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GS Pay Calculator
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📋Grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap explained.
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS-5 Pay
What is the GS-5 pay range in 2026?
The GS-5 base pay range in 2026 is $34,799 (Step 1) to $45,239 (Step 10), before locality pay is added. With the lowest locality adjustment (Rest of U.S., 17.06%), total pay ranges from $40,736 to $52,957. In the Washington, DC area (33.94% locality), GS-5 earns $46,610 (Step 1) to $60,593 (Step 10).
How long does it take to advance from GS-5 Step 1 to Step 10?
Advancement through the 10 steps at GS-5 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-5 position?
Bachelor's degree (any field) or 4 years of general experience, or equivalent combination. Positions targeting specific fields may require a relevant degree.
How does locality pay affect GS-5 salaries?
GS-5 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-5 total pay ranges from $46,167 (Rest of U.S.) to $57,715 (San Jose, CA) — a difference of $11,548.
What is the pay difference between GS-5 and GS-7?
In the Washington, DC area, a GS-5 Step 10 earns $60,593 compared to a GS-7 Step 1 at $57,736. That is a difference of -$2,857 upon promotion from GS-5 to GS-7, before any within-grade step adjustments.