GS Pay Calculator Seattle, WA 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA locality area. Covers the Puget Sound region including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and surrounding areas.
Seattle, WA Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$110,577
$4,253/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$131,491
$5,057/biweekly
Locality Rate
+27.60%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Seattle, WA Locality Pay in Context
The Seattle-Tacoma, WA locality rate of 27.60% ranks #9 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 the Puget Sound region including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and surrounding areas.
Major federal employers in Seattle, WA include VA, Army Corps, USPS, FAA, IRS, Coast Guard, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Seattle, WA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Seattle, WA GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Seattle, WA 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 | $44,404 | $45,884 | $47,364 | $48,844 | $50,324 | $51,804 | $53,284 | $54,765 | $56,245 | $57,725 |
| GS-7 | $55,003 | $56,837 | $58,670 | $60,504 | $62,338 | $64,171 | $66,005 | $67,839 | $69,672 | $71,506 |
| GS-9 | $67,280 | $69,523 | $71,766 | $74,009 | $76,252 | $78,496 | $80,739 | $82,982 | $85,225 | $87,469 |
| GS-11 | $81,402 | $84,116 | $86,831 | $89,545 | $92,259 | $94,973 | $97,687 | $100,401 | $103,115 | $105,829 |
| GS-12 | $97,567 | $100,819 | $104,072 | $107,324 | $110,577 | $113,829 | $117,082 | $120,334 | $123,587 | $126,840 |
| GS-13 | $116,020 | $119,888 | $123,755 | $127,623 | $131,491 | $135,358 | $139,226 | $143,093 | $146,961 | $150,828 |
| GS-14 | $137,101 | $141,672 | $146,242 | $150,813 | $155,384 | $159,954 | $164,525 | $169,096 | $173,666 | $178,237 |
| GS-15 | $161,266 | $166,642 | $172,018 | $177,393 | $182,769 | $188,145 | $193,521 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Seattle, WA Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Seattle-Tacoma, WA locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Seattle-Tacoma, WABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+27.6%)
$40,696
Total Annual
$188,145
Biweekly
$7,236
Hourly: $90.15
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 Seattle, WA Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Seattle, WA +27.60% | Portland, OR +23.41% | Denver, CO +25.18% | San Jose, CA +45.25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $97,567 | $94,363 -$3,204 | $95,716 -$1,851 | $111,063 +$13,496 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $110,577 | $106,946 -$3,631 | $108,480 -$2,097 | $125,872 +$15,295 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $131,491 | $127,173 -$4,318 | $128,997 -$2,494 | $149,679 +$18,188 |
| 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 Seattle, WA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in San Jose, CA earn $15,295 more per year than those in Seattle, WA, while those in Portland, OR earn $3,631 less.
Career Salary Growth in Seattle, WA
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Seattle, WA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Seattle, WA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $55,003 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $67,280 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $81,402 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $104,072 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $131,491 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $178,237 |
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 Seattle, WA
How much does a GS-12 make in Seattle, WA in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA locality area earns between $97,567 (Step 1) and $126,840 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 27.60% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Seattle, WA?
The Seattle, WA locality pay adjustment is 27.60% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2760 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $110,577.
How does Seattle, WA federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Seattle, WA has a 27.60% locality rate. Nearby areas include Portland, OR (23.41%), Denver, CO (25.18%), San Jose, CA (45.25%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Seattle, WA?
GS salaries in Seattle, WA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 27.60% 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 Seattle, WA?
Major federal employers in the Seattle, WA area include VA, Army Corps, USPS, FAA, IRS, Coast Guard, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Covers the Puget Sound region including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and surrounding areas.
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 Seattle, WA area at 27.60% reflects the local cost of labor.