San Antonio, TX Federal Pay at a Glance

GS-12 Step 5
$102,041
$3,925/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$121,340
$4,667/biweekly
Locality Rate
+17.75%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$193,464
$7,441/biweekly

San Antonio, TX Locality Pay in Context

The San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX locality rate of 17.75% ranks #45 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is among the lowest locality rates. The tradeoff is that San Antonio, TX generally has a lower cost of living than higher-paying areas. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers San Antonio, New Braunfels, Pearsall, and surrounding south-central Texas communities. Major military hub.

Major federal employers in San Antonio, TX include Lackland AFB, Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB, VA, NSA Texas. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from San Antonio, TX but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.

San Antonio, TX GS Pay Table 2026

Annual salaries for federal employees in the San Antonio, TX locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.

GradeStep 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8Step 9Step 10
GS-5$40,976$42,342$43,708$45,074$46,439$47,805$49,171$50,537$51,903$53,269
GS-7$50,757$52,449$54,141$55,834$57,526$59,218$60,910$62,602$64,294$65,986
GS-9$62,086$64,156$66,226$68,296$70,366$72,436$74,506$76,576$78,646$80,716
GS-11$75,119$77,623$80,128$82,632$85,137$87,641$90,146$92,650$95,155$97,659
GS-12$90,035$93,037$96,038$99,040$102,041$105,042$108,044$111,045$114,047$117,048
GS-13$107,064$110,633$114,202$117,771$121,340$124,909$128,478$132,047$135,616$139,185
GS-14$126,518$130,735$134,953$139,171$143,389$147,607$151,824$156,042$160,260$164,478
GS-15$148,817$153,778$158,739$163,700$168,660$173,621$178,582$183,543$188,504$193,464

Calculate Your Exact San Antonio, TX Salary

Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX locality area.

Calculate Your GS Pay

2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6

Locality: San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX
Base Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+17.75%)
$26,172
Total Annual
$173,621
Biweekly
$6,678
Hourly: $83.19

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 San Antonio, TX Compares to Nearby Localities

PositionSan Antonio, TX
+17.75%
Houston, TX
+32.55%
Austin, TX
+19.51%
Dallas, TX
+22.29%
GS-12 Step 1$90,035$101,352
+$11,317
$91,381
+$1,346
$93,507
+$3,472
GS-12 Step 5$102,041$114,867
+$12,826
$103,566
+$1,525
$105,975
+$3,934
GS-13 Step 5$121,340$136,591
+$15,251
$123,154
+$1,814
$126,019
+$4,679
GS-15 Step 10$193,464$197,200*
+$3,736
$196,356
+$2,892
$197,200*
+$3,736

* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to San Antonio, TX.

At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Houston, TX earn $12,826 more per year than those in San Antonio, TX, while those in Austin, TX earn $1,525 more.

Career Salary Growth in San Antonio, TX

Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the San Antonio, TX locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:

TimelinePositionSan Antonio, TX Salary
Year 1GS-7 Step 1$50,757
Year 3GS-9 Step 1$62,086
Year 5GS-11 Step 1$75,119
Year 7GS-12 Step 3$96,038
Year 12GS-13 Step 5$121,340
Year 20GS-14 Step 10$164,478

Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.

Related Federal Calculators

Browse GS Pay by Locality

Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in San Antonio, TX

How much does a GS-12 make in San Antonio, TX in 2026?

A GS-12 in the San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX locality area earns between $90,035 (Step 1) and $117,048 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 17.75% locality adjustment applied.

What is the locality pay percentage for San Antonio, TX?

The San Antonio, TX locality pay adjustment is 17.75% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1775 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $102,041.

How does San Antonio, TX federal pay compare to nearby areas?

San Antonio, TX has a 17.75% locality rate. Nearby areas include Houston, TX (32.55%), Austin, TX (19.51%), Dallas, TX (22.29%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.

What is the GS pay cap in San Antonio, TX?

GS salaries in San Antonio, TX are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 17.75% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $193,464, which is below the cap.

Which federal agencies have offices in San Antonio, TX?

Major federal employers in the San Antonio, TX area include Lackland AFB, Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB, VA, NSA Texas. Covers San Antonio, New Braunfels, Pearsall, and surrounding south-central Texas communities. Major military hub.

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 San Antonio, TX area at 17.75% reflects the local cost of labor.