GS Pay Calculator Nashville, TN 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro, TN locality area. Covers Nashville-Davidson, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities.
Nashville, TN Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$103,661
$3,987/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$123,267
$4,741/biweekly
Locality Rate
+19.62%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$196,537
$7,559/biweekly
Nashville, TN Locality Pay in Context
The Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro, TN locality rate of 19.62% ranks #30 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a below-average locality rate. Federal employees here may find their pay stretches further due to lower cost of living. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers Nashville-Davidson, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities.
Major federal employers in Nashville, TN include VA, Army Corps, IRS, USPS, FBI. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Nashville, TN but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Nashville, TN GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Nashville, TN 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 | $41,627 | $43,014 | $44,402 | $45,789 | $47,177 | $48,565 | $49,952 | $51,340 | $52,727 | $54,115 |
| GS-7 | $51,563 | $53,282 | $55,001 | $56,720 | $58,439 | $60,158 | $61,877 | $63,596 | $65,315 | $67,034 |
| GS-9 | $63,072 | $65,175 | $67,278 | $69,381 | $71,484 | $73,587 | $75,690 | $77,792 | $79,895 | $81,998 |
| GS-11 | $76,312 | $78,856 | $81,400 | $83,945 | $86,489 | $89,033 | $91,577 | $94,122 | $96,666 | $99,210 |
| GS-12 | $91,465 | $94,514 | $97,563 | $100,612 | $103,661 | $106,711 | $109,760 | $112,809 | $115,858 | $118,907 |
| GS-13 | $108,764 | $112,390 | $116,016 | $119,642 | $123,267 | $126,893 | $130,519 | $134,144 | $137,770 | $141,396 |
| GS-14 | $128,527 | $132,812 | $137,096 | $141,381 | $145,666 | $149,951 | $154,236 | $158,520 | $162,805 | $167,090 |
| GS-15 | $151,181 | $156,220 | $161,260 | $166,299 | $171,339 | $176,378 | $181,418 | $186,458 | $191,497 | $196,537 |
Calculate Your Exact Nashville, TN Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro, TN locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro, TNBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+19.62%)
$28,929
Total Annual
$176,378
Biweekly
$6,784
Hourly: $84.51
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 Nashville, TN Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Nashville, TN +19.62% | Atlanta, GA +21.30% | Birmingham, AL +17.78% | Huntsville, AL +20.22% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $91,465 | $92,750 +$1,285 | $90,058 -$1,407 | $91,924 +$459 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $103,661 | $105,117 +$1,456 | $102,067 -$1,594 | $104,181 +$520 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $123,267 | $124,998 +$1,731 | $121,371 -$1,896 | $123,886 +$619 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $196,537 | $197,200* +$663 | $193,514 -$3,023 | $197,200* +$663 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Nashville, TN.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Atlanta, GA earn $1,456 more per year than those in Nashville, TN, while those in Birmingham, AL earn $1,594 less.
Career Salary Growth in Nashville, TN
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Nashville, TN locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Nashville, TN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,563 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $63,072 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $76,312 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $97,563 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $123,267 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $167,090 |
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 Nashville, TN
How much does a GS-12 make in Nashville, TN in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro, TN locality area earns between $91,465 (Step 1) and $118,907 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 19.62% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Nashville, TN?
The Nashville, TN locality pay adjustment is 19.62% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1962 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $103,661.
How does Nashville, TN federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Nashville, TN has a 19.62% locality rate. Nearby areas include Atlanta, GA (21.30%), Birmingham, AL (17.78%), Huntsville, AL (20.22%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Nashville, TN?
GS salaries in Nashville, TN are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 19.62% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $196,537, which is below the cap.
Which federal agencies have offices in Nashville, TN?
Major federal employers in the Nashville, TN area include VA, Army Corps, IRS, USPS, FBI. Covers Nashville-Davidson, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and surrounding Middle Tennessee 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 Nashville, TN area at 19.62% reflects the local cost of labor.