GS Pay Calculator Minneapolis, MN 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI locality area. Covers the Twin Cities metro area including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding Minnesota and Wisconsin communities.
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI locality area. Covers the Twin Cities metro area including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding Minnesota and Wisconsin communities.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI locality rate of 24.56% ranks #15 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 the Twin Cities metro area including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding Minnesota and Wisconsin communities.
Major federal employers in Minneapolis, MN include VA, IRS, Army Corps, EPA, USPS, FBI. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Minneapolis, MN but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Minneapolis, MN 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 | $43,346 | $44,791 | $46,235 | $47,680 | $49,125 | $50,570 | $52,015 | $53,460 | $54,905 | $56,350 |
| GS-7 | $53,693 | $55,483 | $57,273 | $59,063 | $60,853 | $62,642 | $64,432 | $66,222 | $68,012 | $69,802 |
| GS-9 | $65,677 | $67,867 | $70,056 | $72,246 | $74,436 | $76,626 | $78,815 | $81,005 | $83,195 | $85,385 |
| GS-11 | $79,463 | $82,112 | $84,762 | $87,411 | $90,061 | $92,710 | $95,359 | $98,009 | $100,658 | $103,308 |
| GS-12 | $95,242 | $98,417 | $101,592 | $104,767 | $107,942 | $111,117 | $114,293 | $117,468 | $120,643 | $123,818 |
| GS-13 | $113,256 | $117,032 | $120,807 | $124,582 | $128,358 | $132,133 | $135,909 | $139,684 | $143,459 | $147,235 |
| GS-14 | $133,835 | $138,296 | $142,758 | $147,220 | $151,682 | $156,143 | $160,605 | $165,067 | $169,529 | $173,990 |
| GS-15 | $157,424 | $162,672 | $167,919 | $173,167 | $178,415 | $183,662 | $188,910 | $194,158 | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI locality area.
About GS Pay
| Position | Minneapolis, MN +24.56% | Chicago, IL +28.53% | Milwaukee, WI +20.99% | Denver, CO +25.18% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $95,242 | $98,278 +$3,036 | $92,513 -$2,729 | $95,716 +$474 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $107,942 | $111,383 +$3,441 | $104,849 -$3,093 | $108,480 +$538 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $128,358 | $132,449 +$4,091 | $124,679 -$3,679 | $128,997 +$639 |
| 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 Minneapolis, MN.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Chicago, IL earn $3,441 more per year than those in Minneapolis, MN, while those in Milwaukee, WI earn $3,093 less.
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Minneapolis, MN locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Minneapolis, MN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $53,693 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $65,677 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $79,463 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $101,592 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $128,358 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $173,990 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Compare pay across all 49 locality areas.
Calculate your highest 3 consecutive years of pay for retirement.
Estimate your federal pension based on your high-3 salary.
Project your Thrift Savings Plan growth and withdrawals.
Estimate federal severance pay based on years of service.
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
A GS-12 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI locality area earns between $95,242 (Step 1) and $123,818 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 24.56% locality adjustment applied.
The Minneapolis, MN locality pay adjustment is 24.56% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2456 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $107,942.
Minneapolis, MN has a 24.56% locality rate. Nearby areas include Chicago, IL (28.53%), Milwaukee, WI (20.99%), Denver, CO (25.18%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
GS salaries in Minneapolis, MN are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 24.56% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Major federal employers in the Minneapolis, MN area include VA, IRS, Army Corps, EPA, USPS, FBI. Covers the Twin Cities metro area including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding Minnesota and Wisconsin communities.
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 Minneapolis, MN area at 24.56% reflects the local cost of labor.