Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA locality area. Covers New York City, Newark, and the tri-state metropolitan area including parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Second highest locality in the nation.
The New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA locality rate of 36.16% ranks #2 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 New York City, Newark, and the tri-state metropolitan area including parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Second highest locality in the nation.
Major federal employers in New York, NY include DHS (CBP, ICE), IRS, FBI, VA, USPS, SSA, DOJ (SDNY). Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from New York, NY but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Annual salaries for federal employees in the New York, NY 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 | $47,382 | $48,962 | $50,541 | $52,121 | $53,700 | $55,280 | $56,859 | $58,439 | $60,018 | $61,597 |
| GS-7 | $58,693 | $60,650 | $62,606 | $64,563 | $66,520 | $68,476 | $70,433 | $72,389 | $74,346 | $76,303 |
| GS-9 | $71,793 | $74,187 | $76,580 | $78,974 | $81,368 | $83,762 | $86,155 | $88,549 | $90,943 | $93,336 |
| GS-11 | $86,863 | $89,759 | $92,656 | $95,552 | $98,448 | $101,344 | $104,240 | $107,136 | $110,032 | $112,928 |
| GS-12 | $104,112 | $107,583 | $111,053 | $114,524 | $117,995 | $121,466 | $124,936 | $128,407 | $131,878 | $135,348 |
| GS-13 | $123,803 | $127,930 | $132,057 | $136,185 | $140,312 | $144,439 | $148,566 | $152,693 | $156,820 | $160,947 |
| GS-14 | $146,298 | $151,176 | $156,053 | $160,930 | $165,807 | $170,685 | $175,562 | $180,439 | $185,316 | $190,194 |
| GS-15 | $172,084 | $177,821 | $183,557 | $189,294 | $195,030 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $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 New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA locality area.
About GS Pay
| Position | New York, NY +36.16% | Philadelphia, PA +26.23% | Boston, MA +28.18% | Hartford, CT +26.40% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $104,112 | $96,519 -$7,593 | $98,010 -$6,102 | $96,649 -$7,463 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $117,995 | $109,390 -$8,605 | $111,080 -$6,915 | $109,537 -$8,458 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $140,312 | $130,079 -$10,233 | $132,088 -$8,224 | $130,254 -$10,058 |
| 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 New York, NY.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Boston, MA earn $6,915 less per year than those in New York, NY, while those in Philadelphia, PA earn $8,605 less.
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the New York, NY locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | New York, NY Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $58,693 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $71,793 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $86,863 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $111,053 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $140,312 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $190,194 |
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.
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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 New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA locality area earns between $104,112 (Step 1) and $135,348 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 36.16% locality adjustment applied.
The New York, NY locality pay adjustment is 36.16% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.3616 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $117,995.
New York, NY has a 36.16% locality rate. Nearby areas include Philadelphia, PA (26.23%), Boston, MA (28.18%), Hartford, CT (26.40%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
GS salaries in New York, NY are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 36.16% 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 New York, NY area include DHS (CBP, ICE), IRS, FBI, VA, USPS, SSA, DOJ (SDNY). Covers New York City, Newark, and the tri-state metropolitan area including parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Second highest locality in the nation.
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 New York, NY area at 36.16% reflects the local cost of labor.