GS Pay Calculator Milwaukee, WI 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI locality area. Covers Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and surrounding southeast Wisconsin communities.
Milwaukee, WI Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$104,849
$4,033/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$124,679
$4,795/biweekly
Locality Rate
+20.99%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Milwaukee, WI Locality Pay in Context
The Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI locality rate of 20.99% ranks #25 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a mid-range locality rate, balancing regional cost of living with the federal pay structure. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and surrounding southeast Wisconsin communities.
Major federal employers in Milwaukee, WI include VA, IRS, USPS, SSA, FBI. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Milwaukee, WI but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Milwaukee, WI GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Milwaukee, WI 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 | $42,103 | $43,507 | $44,910 | $46,314 | $47,717 | $49,121 | $50,524 | $51,928 | $53,331 | $54,735 |
| GS-7 | $52,154 | $53,893 | $55,631 | $57,370 | $59,108 | $60,847 | $62,586 | $64,324 | $66,063 | $67,802 |
| GS-9 | $63,794 | $65,921 | $68,048 | $70,175 | $72,302 | $74,429 | $76,556 | $78,683 | $80,810 | $82,937 |
| GS-11 | $77,186 | $79,759 | $82,332 | $84,906 | $87,479 | $90,053 | $92,626 | $95,200 | $97,773 | $100,347 |
| GS-12 | $92,513 | $95,597 | $98,681 | $101,765 | $104,849 | $107,933 | $111,017 | $114,101 | $117,185 | $120,269 |
| GS-13 | $110,010 | $113,677 | $117,345 | $121,012 | $124,679 | $128,346 | $132,013 | $135,681 | $139,348 | $143,015 |
| GS-14 | $129,999 | $134,333 | $138,667 | $143,001 | $147,334 | $151,668 | $156,002 | $160,336 | $164,670 | $169,004 |
| GS-15 | $152,912 | $158,009 | $163,107 | $168,204 | $173,301 | $178,399 | $183,496 | $188,593 | $193,690 | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Milwaukee, WI Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WIBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+20.99%)
$30,950
Total Annual
$178,399
Biweekly
$6,862
Hourly: $85.48
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 Milwaukee, WI Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Milwaukee, WI +20.99% | Chicago, IL +28.53% | Minneapolis, MN +24.56% | Davenport, IA +16.98% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $92,513 | $98,278 +$5,765 | $95,242 +$2,729 | $89,446 -$3,067 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $104,849 | $111,383 +$6,534 | $107,942 +$3,093 | $101,374 -$3,475 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $124,679 | $132,449 +$7,770 | $128,358 +$3,679 | $120,547 -$4,132 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $192,199 -$5,001 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Milwaukee, WI.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Chicago, IL earn $6,534 more per year than those in Milwaukee, WI, while those in Davenport, IA earn $3,475 less.
Career Salary Growth in Milwaukee, WI
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Milwaukee, WI locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Milwaukee, WI Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $52,154 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $63,794 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $77,186 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $98,681 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $124,679 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $169,004 |
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 Milwaukee, WI
How much does a GS-12 make in Milwaukee, WI in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI locality area earns between $92,513 (Step 1) and $120,269 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 20.99% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Milwaukee, WI?
The Milwaukee, WI locality pay adjustment is 20.99% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2099 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $104,849.
How does Milwaukee, WI federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Milwaukee, WI has a 20.99% locality rate. Nearby areas include Chicago, IL (28.53%), Minneapolis, MN (24.56%), Davenport, IA (16.98%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Milwaukee, WI?
GS salaries in Milwaukee, WI are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 20.99% 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 Milwaukee, WI?
Major federal employers in the Milwaukee, WI area include VA, IRS, USPS, SSA, FBI. Covers Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and surrounding southeast Wisconsin communities.
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 Milwaukee, WI area at 20.99% reflects the local cost of labor.