GS Pay Calculator Sacramento, CA 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Sacramento--Roseville, CA-NV locality area. Covers Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, and surrounding Central Valley and foothill communities.
Sacramento, CA Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$109,138
$4,198/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$129,780
$4,992/biweekly
Locality Rate
+25.94%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Sacramento, CA Locality Pay in Context
The Sacramento--Roseville, CA-NV locality rate of 25.94% ranks #13 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 Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, and surrounding Central Valley and foothill communities.
Major federal employers in Sacramento, CA include VA, IRS, BLM, USFS, Army Corps, McClellan Park. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Sacramento, CA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Sacramento, CA GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Sacramento, CA 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 | $43,826 | $45,287 | $46,748 | $48,209 | $49,669 | $51,130 | $52,591 | $54,052 | $55,513 | $56,974 |
| GS-7 | $54,288 | $56,097 | $57,907 | $59,717 | $61,527 | $63,336 | $65,146 | $66,956 | $68,766 | $70,576 |
| GS-9 | $66,404 | $68,618 | $70,832 | $73,046 | $75,260 | $77,475 | $79,689 | $81,903 | $84,117 | $86,331 |
| GS-11 | $80,343 | $83,022 | $85,701 | $88,380 | $91,058 | $93,737 | $96,416 | $99,095 | $101,773 | $104,452 |
| GS-12 | $96,298 | $99,508 | $102,718 | $105,928 | $109,138 | $112,349 | $115,559 | $118,769 | $121,979 | $125,189 |
| GS-13 | $114,511 | $118,328 | $122,145 | $125,963 | $129,780 | $133,597 | $137,414 | $141,232 | $145,049 | $148,866 |
| GS-14 | $135,317 | $139,829 | $144,340 | $148,851 | $153,362 | $157,873 | $162,385 | $166,896 | $171,407 | $175,918 |
| GS-15 | $159,168 | $164,474 | $169,780 | $175,086 | $180,391 | $185,697 | $191,003 | $196,309 | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Sacramento, CA Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Sacramento--Roseville, CA-NV locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Sacramento--Roseville, CA-NVBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+25.94%)
$38,248
Total Annual
$185,697
Biweekly
$7,142
Hourly: $88.98
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 Sacramento, CA Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Sacramento, CA +25.94% | San Jose, CA +45.25% | Los Angeles, CA +32.30% | Portland, OR +23.41% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $96,298 | $111,063 +$14,765 | $101,161 +$4,863 | $94,363 -$1,935 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $109,138 | $125,872 +$16,734 | $114,650 +$5,512 | $106,946 -$2,192 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $129,780 | $149,679 +$19,899 | $136,334 +$6,554 | $127,173 -$2,607 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in San Jose, CA earn $16,734 more per year than those in Sacramento, CA, while those in Portland, OR earn $2,192 less.
Career Salary Growth in Sacramento, CA
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Sacramento, CA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Sacramento, CA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $54,288 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $66,404 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $80,343 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $102,718 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $129,780 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $175,918 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Sacramento, CA
How much does a GS-12 make in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Sacramento--Roseville, CA-NV locality area earns between $96,298 (Step 1) and $125,189 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 25.94% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Sacramento, CA?
The Sacramento, CA locality pay adjustment is 25.94% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2594 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $109,138.
How does Sacramento, CA federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Sacramento, CA has a 25.94% locality rate. Nearby areas include San Jose, CA (45.25%), Los Angeles, CA (32.30%), Portland, OR (23.41%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Sacramento, CA?
GS salaries in Sacramento, CA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 25.94% 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 Sacramento, CA?
Major federal employers in the Sacramento, CA area include VA, IRS, BLM, USFS, Army Corps, McClellan Park. Covers Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, and surrounding Central Valley and foothill 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 Sacramento, CA area at 25.94% reflects the local cost of labor.