GS-5 Pay by Step and Locality (2026)
Entry-level positions requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Base pay $34,799 (Step 1) to $45,239 (Step 10); every step for every locality below.
GS-5 pay at a glance (2026)
Nationwide base pay and representative locality-adjusted figures. For the full 2026 GS pay scale (all 15 grades), see the GS Pay Guide 2026.
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.
GS-5 pay by step (2026): all 10 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-5 | $34,799 | $35,959 | $37,119 | $38,279 | $39,439 | $40,599 | $41,759 | $42,919 | $44,079 | $45,239 |
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-5 salary by locality (2026): top 5 areas
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 2026 locality areas available in the calculator below.
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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.