GS-9 Pay by Step and Locality (2026)
Developmental positions requiring a master's degree or two years of specialized experience. Base pay $52,727 (Step 1) to $68,549 (Step 10); every step for every locality below.
GS-9 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-9?
GS-9 is a common landing point for employees with a master's degree or MBA, and a standard promotion target from GS-7 after two years. Many GS-9 positions are part of two-grade interval career ladders (GS-9/11/12 or GS-7/9/11/12).
Typical qualifications: Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education, OR 1 year of specialized experience at GS-7 level equivalent. LL.B. or J.D. satisfies education requirement for attorney positions.
GS-9 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-9 | $52,727 | $54,485 | $56,243 | $58,001 | $59,759 | $61,517 | $63,275 | $65,033 | $66,791 | $68,549 |
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-9 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% | $77,161 | $87,451 | $100,315 |
| New York, NY | +37.95% | $72,737 | $82,438 | $94,563 |
| Los Angeles, CA | +36.47% | $71,957 | $81,553 | $93,549 |
| Houston, TX | +35.00% | $71,181 | $80,675 | $92,541 |
| Washington, DC | +33.94% | $70,623 | $80,041 | $91,815 |
FedTools 2026 analysis of OPM salary tables. All 2026 locality areas available in the calculator below.
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Frequently asked questions: GS-9 pay
What is the GS-9 pay range in 2026?
The GS-9 base pay range in 2026 is $52,727 (Step 1) to $68,549 (Step 10), before locality pay is added. With the lowest locality adjustment (Rest of U.S., 17.06%), total pay ranges from $61,722 to $80,243. In the Washington, DC area (33.94% locality), GS-9 earns $70,623 (Step 1) to $91,815 (Step 10).
How long does it take to advance from GS-9 Step 1 to Step 10?
Advancement through the 10 steps at GS-9 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-9 position?
Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education, OR 1 year of specialized experience at GS-7 level equivalent. LL.B. or J.D. satisfies education requirement for attorney positions.
How does locality pay affect GS-9 salaries?
GS-9 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-9 total pay ranges from $69,954 (Rest of U.S.) to $87,451 (San Jose, CA) — a difference of $17,497.
What is the pay difference between GS-9 and GS-11?
In the Washington, DC area, a GS-9 Step 10 earns $91,815 compared to a GS-11 Step 1 at $85,447. That is a difference of -$6,368 upon promotion from GS-9 to GS-11, before any within-grade step adjustments.