GS Pay Scale 2026 — St. Louis, MO
2026 GS pay scale for the St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL locality area (20.03% locality rate). Full pay table for all 15 grades and 10 steps. Covers St. Louis, St. Charles, Farmington, and surrounding Missouri and Illinois communities.
The St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL locality rate of 20.03% ranks #37 out of 58 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a below-average locality rate. Federal employees here may find their pay stretches further due to lower cost of living. Rates range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers St. Louis, St. Charles, Farmington, and surrounding Missouri and Illinois communities.
Major federal employers in St. Louis, MO include NGA, Army Corps, VA, IRS, USPS, Scott AFB. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from St. Louis, MO but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
St. Louis, MO GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the St. Louis, MO 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 | $41,769 | $43,162 | $44,554 | $45,946 | $47,339 | $48,731 | $50,123 | $51,516 | $52,908 | $54,300 |
| GS-7 | $51,740 | $53,465 | $55,190 | $56,915 | $58,639 | $60,364 | $62,089 | $63,814 | $65,539 | $67,264 |
| GS-9 | $63,288 | $65,398 | $67,508 | $69,619 | $71,729 | $73,839 | $75,949 | $78,059 | $80,169 | $82,279 |
| GS-11 | $76,573 | $79,126 | $81,679 | $84,232 | $86,785 | $89,338 | $91,891 | $94,444 | $96,997 | $99,550 |
| GS-12 | $91,779 | $94,838 | $97,898 | $100,957 | $104,017 | $107,076 | $110,136 | $113,195 | $116,255 | $119,315 |
| GS-13 | $109,137 | $112,775 | $116,413 | $120,052 | $123,690 | $127,328 | $130,966 | $134,604 | $138,242 | $141,880 |
| GS-14 | $128,967 | $133,267 | $137,566 | $141,866 | $146,165 | $150,465 | $154,764 | $159,064 | $163,363 | $167,663 |
| GS-15 | $151,699 | $156,756 | $161,812 | $166,869 | $171,926 | $176,983 | $182,040 | $187,097 | $192,154 | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Source: OPM 2026 General Schedule pay tables.
Calculate Your Exact St. Louis, MO Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL locality area.
How St. Louis, MO Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | St. Louis, MO +20.03% | Kansas City, MO +18.97% | Chicago, IL +30.86% | Indianapolis, IN +18.15% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $91,779 | $90,968 -$811 | $100,059 +$8,280 | $90,341 -$1,438 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $104,017 | $103,098 -$919 | $113,402 +$9,385 | $102,388 -$1,629 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $123,690 | $122,597 -$1,093 | $134,850 +$11,160 | $121,752 -$1,938 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $195,469 -$1,731 | $197,200* $0 | $194,122 -$3,078 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to St. Louis, MO.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Chicago, IL earn $9,385 more per year than those in St. Louis, MO, while those in Indianapolis, IN earn $1,629 less.
Career Salary Growth in St. Louis, MO
A typical federal career progressing through the St. Louis, MO locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder.
| Timeline | Position | St. Louis, MO Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,740 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $63,288 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $76,573 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $97,898 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $123,690 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $167,663 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2–3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in St. Louis, MO
How much does a GS-12 make in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
A GS-12 in the St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL locality area earns between $91,779 (Step 1) and $119,315 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 20.03% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for St. Louis, MO?
The St. Louis, MO locality pay adjustment is 20.03% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2003 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $104,017.
How does St. Louis, MO federal pay compare to nearby areas?
St. Louis, MO has a 20.03% locality rate. Nearby areas include Kansas City, MO (18.97%), Chicago, IL (30.86%), Indianapolis, IN (18.15%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in St. Louis, MO?
GS salaries in St. Louis, MO are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 20.03% 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 St. Louis, MO?
Major federal employers in the St. Louis, MO area include NGA, Army Corps, VA, IRS, USPS, Scott AFB. Covers St. Louis, St. Charles, Farmington, and surrounding Missouri and Illinois 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 St. Louis, MO area at 20.03% reflects the local cost of labor.