GS Pay Calculator Houston, TX 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Houston-The Woodlands, TX-LA locality area. Covers the Greater Houston area including The Woodlands and extends into Louisiana.
Houston, TX Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$116,990
$4,500/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$139,116
$5,351/biweekly
Locality Rate
+35.00%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Houston, TX Locality Pay in Context
The Houston-The Woodlands, TX-LA locality rate of 35.00% ranks #4 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is one of the highest-paying localities, reflecting a significantly higher cost of labor compared to the national average. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Greater Houston area including The Woodlands and extends into Louisiana.
Major federal employers in Houston, TX include NASA JSC, VA, IRS, CBP, USPS, Army Corps. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Houston, TX but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Houston, TX GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Houston, TX locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $46,979 | $48,545 | $50,111 | $51,677 | $53,243 | $54,809 | $56,375 | $57,941 | $59,507 | $61,073 |
| GS-7 | $58,193 | $60,133 | $62,073 | $64,013 | $65,953 | $67,893 | $69,833 | $71,773 | $73,713 | $75,653 |
| GS-9 | $71,181 | $73,555 | $75,928 | $78,301 | $80,675 | $83,048 | $85,421 | $87,795 | $90,168 | $92,541 |
| GS-11 | $86,123 | $88,995 | $91,866 | $94,738 | $97,609 | $100,481 | $103,352 | $106,223 | $109,095 | $111,966 |
| GS-12 | $103,225 | $106,666 | $110,107 | $113,548 | $116,990 | $120,431 | $123,872 | $127,313 | $130,754 | $134,195 |
| GS-13 | $122,749 | $126,841 | $130,932 | $135,024 | $139,116 | $143,208 | $147,300 | $151,392 | $155,484 | $159,575 |
| GS-14 | $145,052 | $149,888 | $154,724 | $159,559 | $164,395 | $169,231 | $174,066 | $178,902 | $183,738 | $188,573 |
| GS-15 | $170,618 | $176,306 | $181,994 | $187,681 | $193,369 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Houston, TX Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Houston-The Woodlands, TX-LA locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Houston-The Woodlands, TX-LABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+35%)
$51,607
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)
- • 49 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
How Houston, TX Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Houston, TX +35.00% | Dallas, TX +22.29% | San Antonio, TX +17.75% | Austin, TX +19.51% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $103,225 | $93,507 -$9,718 | $90,035 -$13,190 | $91,381 -$11,844 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $116,990 | $105,975 -$11,015 | $102,041 -$14,949 | $103,566 -$13,424 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $139,116 | $126,019 -$13,097 | $121,340 -$17,776 | $123,154 -$15,962 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $193,464 -$3,736 | $196,356 -$844 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Houston, TX.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Dallas, TX earn $11,015 less per year than those in Houston, TX, while those in San Antonio, TX earn $14,949 less.
Career Salary Growth in Houston, TX
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Houston, TX locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Houston, TX Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $58,193 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $71,181 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $86,123 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $110,107 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $139,116 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $188,573 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Houston, TX
How much does a GS-12 make in Houston, TX in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Houston-The Woodlands, TX-LA locality area earns between $103,225 (Step 1) and $134,195 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 35.00% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Houston, TX?
The Houston, TX locality pay adjustment is 35.00% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.3500 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $116,990.
How does Houston, TX federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Houston, TX has a 35.00% locality rate. Nearby areas include Dallas, TX (22.29%), San Antonio, TX (17.75%), Austin, TX (19.51%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Houston, TX?
GS salaries in Houston, TX are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 35.00% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Which federal agencies have offices in Houston, TX?
Major federal employers in the Houston, TX area include NASA JSC, VA, IRS, CBP, USPS, Army Corps. Covers the Greater Houston area including The Woodlands and extends into Louisiana.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Houston, TX area at 35.00% reflects the local cost of labor.