GS-7 Pay by Step and Locality (2026)
Entry-to-journey level positions for college graduates with superior academic achievement or one year of specialized experience. Base pay $43,106 (Step 1) to $56,039 (Step 10); every step for every locality below.
GS-7 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-7?
GS-7 is the target grade for new graduates with superior academic achievement (3.5+ GPA) and for many Pathways Recent Graduates conversions after their first year. It is the most common starting point for law enforcement trainees.
Typical qualifications: Bachelor's degree with a 3.5+ GPA or top 10% of class (Superior Academic Achievement), OR 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level, OR 1 full year of graduate education.
GS-7 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-7 | $43,106 | $44,543 | $45,980 | $47,417 | $48,854 | $50,291 | $51,728 | $53,165 | $54,602 | $56,039 |
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-7 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% | $63,081 | $71,493 | $82,007 |
| New York, NY | +37.95% | $59,465 | $67,394 | $77,306 |
| Los Angeles, CA | +36.47% | $58,827 | $66,671 | $76,476 |
| Houston, TX | +35.00% | $58,193 | $65,953 | $75,653 |
| Washington, DC | +33.94% | $57,736 | $65,435 | $75,059 |
FedTools 2026 analysis of OPM salary tables. All 2026 locality areas available in the calculator below.
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Frequently asked questions: GS-7 pay
What is the GS-7 pay range in 2026?
The GS-7 base pay range in 2026 is $43,106 (Step 1) to $56,039 (Step 10), before locality pay is added. With the lowest locality adjustment (Rest of U.S., 17.06%), total pay ranges from $50,460 to $65,599. In the Washington, DC area (33.94% locality), GS-7 earns $57,736 (Step 1) to $75,059 (Step 10).
How long does it take to advance from GS-7 Step 1 to Step 10?
Advancement through the 10 steps at GS-7 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-7 position?
Bachelor's degree with a 3.5+ GPA or top 10% of class (Superior Academic Achievement), OR 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level, OR 1 full year of graduate education.
How does locality pay affect GS-7 salaries?
GS-7 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-7 total pay ranges from $57,188 (Rest of U.S.) to $71,493 (San Jose, CA) — a difference of $14,305.
What is the pay difference between GS-7 and GS-9?
In the Washington, DC area, a GS-7 Step 10 earns $75,059 compared to a GS-9 Step 1 at $70,623. That is a difference of -$4,436 upon promotion from GS-7 to GS-9, before any within-grade step adjustments.