GS Pay Calculator Philadelphia, PA 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MD locality area. Covers the Philadelphia metro area spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
Philadelphia, PA Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$111,781
$4,299/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$132,923
$5,112/biweekly
Locality Rate
+28.99%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Philadelphia, PA Locality Pay in Context
The Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MD locality rate of 28.99% ranks #11 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 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Philadelphia metro area spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
Major federal employers in Philadelphia, PA include VA, IRS, DOD (Navy Yard), EPA Region 3, SSA, USPS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Philadelphia, PA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Philadelphia, PA GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Philadelphia, PA 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 | $44,887 | $46,384 | $47,880 | $49,376 | $50,872 | $52,369 | $53,865 | $55,361 | $56,858 | $58,354 |
| GS-7 | $55,602 | $57,456 | $59,310 | $61,163 | $63,017 | $64,870 | $66,724 | $68,578 | $70,431 | $72,285 |
| GS-9 | $68,013 | $70,280 | $72,548 | $74,815 | $77,083 | $79,351 | $81,618 | $83,886 | $86,154 | $88,421 |
| GS-11 | $82,289 | $85,033 | $87,776 | $90,520 | $93,264 | $96,007 | $98,751 | $101,494 | $104,238 | $106,982 |
| GS-12 | $98,630 | $101,918 | $105,206 | $108,493 | $111,781 | $115,069 | $118,357 | $121,645 | $124,933 | $128,221 |
| GS-13 | $117,284 | $121,194 | $125,104 | $129,013 | $132,923 | $136,833 | $140,742 | $144,652 | $148,562 | $152,471 |
| GS-14 | $138,595 | $143,215 | $147,835 | $152,456 | $157,076 | $161,697 | $166,317 | $170,938 | $175,558 | $180,178 |
| GS-15 | $163,023 | $168,457 | $173,891 | $179,326 | $184,760 | $190,194 | $195,629 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Philadelphia, PA Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MD locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MDBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+28.99%)
$42,745
Total Annual
$190,194
Biweekly
$7,315
Hourly: $91.13
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 Philadelphia, PA Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Philadelphia, PA +28.99% | New York, NY +37.95% | Washington, DC +33.94% | Harrisburg, PA +18.82% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $98,630 | $105,481 +$6,851 | $102,415 +$3,785 | $90,853 -$7,777 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $111,781 | $119,546 +$7,765 | $116,071 +$4,290 | $102,968 -$8,813 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $132,923 | $142,156 +$9,233 | $138,024 +$5,101 | $122,443 -$10,480 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $195,222 -$1,978 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Philadelphia, PA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in New York, NY earn $7,765 more per year than those in Philadelphia, PA, while those in Harrisburg, PA earn $8,813 less.
Career Salary Growth in Philadelphia, PA
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Philadelphia, PA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Philadelphia, PA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $55,602 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $68,013 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $82,289 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $105,206 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $132,923 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $180,178 |
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 Philadelphia, PA
How much does a GS-12 make in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MD locality area earns between $98,630 (Step 1) and $128,221 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 28.99% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Philadelphia, PA?
The Philadelphia, PA locality pay adjustment is 28.99% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2899 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $111,781.
How does Philadelphia, PA federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Philadelphia, PA has a 28.99% locality rate. Nearby areas include New York, NY (37.95%), Washington, DC (33.94%), Harrisburg, PA (18.82%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Philadelphia, PA?
GS salaries in Philadelphia, PA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 28.99% 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 Philadelphia, PA?
Major federal employers in the Philadelphia, PA area include VA, IRS, DOD (Navy Yard), EPA Region 3, SSA, USPS. Covers the Philadelphia metro area spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
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 Philadelphia, PA area at 28.99% reflects the local cost of labor.