GS Pay Calculator Los Angeles, CA 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA locality area. Covers Los Angeles and Long Beach including Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Los Angeles, CA Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$114,650
$4,410/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$136,334
$5,244/biweekly
Locality Rate
+32.30%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Los Angeles, CA Locality Pay in Context
The Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA locality rate of 32.30% ranks #5 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 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers Los Angeles and Long Beach including Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Major federal employers in Los Angeles, CA include VA, DHS (CBP, ICE), IRS, DOD (Edwards AFB), FBI, USPS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Los Angeles, CA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Los Angeles, CA GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Los Angeles, CA 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 | $46,039 | $47,574 | $49,108 | $50,643 | $52,178 | $53,712 | $55,247 | $56,782 | $58,317 | $59,851 |
| GS-7 | $57,029 | $58,930 | $60,832 | $62,733 | $64,634 | $66,535 | $68,436 | $70,337 | $72,238 | $74,140 |
| GS-9 | $69,758 | $72,084 | $74,409 | $76,735 | $79,061 | $81,387 | $83,713 | $86,039 | $88,364 | $90,690 |
| GS-11 | $84,401 | $87,215 | $90,029 | $92,843 | $95,657 | $98,471 | $101,285 | $104,099 | $106,913 | $109,727 |
| GS-12 | $101,161 | $104,533 | $107,905 | $111,278 | $114,650 | $118,022 | $121,395 | $124,767 | $128,139 | $131,511 |
| GS-13 | $120,294 | $124,304 | $128,314 | $132,324 | $136,334 | $140,344 | $144,354 | $148,364 | $152,374 | $156,384 |
| GS-14 | $142,151 | $146,890 | $151,629 | $156,368 | $161,107 | $165,846 | $170,585 | $175,324 | $180,063 | $184,802 |
| GS-15 | $167,206 | $172,780 | $178,354 | $183,927 | $189,501 | $195,075 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Los Angeles, CA Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Los Angeles-Long Beach, CABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+32.3%)
$47,626
Total Annual
$195,075
Biweekly
$7,503
Hourly: $93.47
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 Los Angeles, CA Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Los Angeles, CA +32.30% | San Diego, CA +29.57% | San Jose, CA +45.25% | Sacramento, CA +25.94% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $101,161 | $99,073 -$2,088 | $111,063 +$9,902 | $96,298 -$4,863 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $114,650 | $112,284 -$2,366 | $125,872 +$11,222 | $109,138 -$5,512 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $136,334 | $133,521 -$2,813 | $149,679 +$13,345 | $129,780 -$6,554 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Los Angeles, CA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in San Jose, CA earn $11,222 more per year than those in Los Angeles, CA, while those in Sacramento, CA earn $5,512 less.
Career Salary Growth in Los Angeles, CA
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Los Angeles, CA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Los Angeles, CA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $57,029 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $69,758 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $84,401 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $107,905 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $136,334 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $184,802 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Complete GS Pay Guide 2026
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Los Angeles, CA
How much does a GS-12 make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA locality area earns between $101,161 (Step 1) and $131,511 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 32.30% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Los Angeles, CA?
The Los Angeles, CA locality pay adjustment is 32.30% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.3230 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $114,650.
How does Los Angeles, CA federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Los Angeles, CA has a 32.30% locality rate. Nearby areas include San Diego, CA (29.57%), San Jose, CA (45.25%), Sacramento, CA (25.94%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Los Angeles, CA?
GS salaries in Los Angeles, CA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 32.30% 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 Los Angeles, CA?
Major federal employers in the Los Angeles, CA area include VA, DHS (CBP, ICE), IRS, DOD (Edwards AFB), FBI, USPS. Covers Los Angeles and Long Beach including Orange County and the Inland Empire.
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 Los Angeles, CA area at 32.30% reflects the local cost of labor.