GS Pay Calculator Tucson, AZ 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Tucson-Nogales, AZ locality area. Covers Tucson, Nogales, and surrounding Pima County, Arizona communities.
Tucson, AZ Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$102,162
$3,929/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$121,484
$4,672/biweekly
Locality Rate
+17.89%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$193,694
$7,450/biweekly
Tucson, AZ Locality Pay in Context
The Tucson-Nogales, AZ locality rate of 17.89% ranks #43 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is among the lowest locality rates. The tradeoff is that Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson, Nogales, and surrounding Pima County, Arizona communities.
Major federal employers in Tucson, AZ include Davis-Monthan AFB, VA, CBP, NPS, USFS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Tucson, AZ but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Tucson, AZ GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Tucson, AZ 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 | $41,025 | $42,392 | $43,760 | $45,127 | $46,495 | $47,862 | $49,230 | $50,597 | $51,965 | $53,332 |
| GS-7 | $50,818 | $52,512 | $54,206 | $55,900 | $57,594 | $59,288 | $60,982 | $62,676 | $64,370 | $66,064 |
| GS-9 | $62,160 | $64,232 | $66,305 | $68,377 | $70,450 | $72,522 | $74,595 | $76,667 | $78,740 | $80,812 |
| GS-11 | $75,208 | $77,715 | $80,223 | $82,730 | $85,238 | $87,746 | $90,253 | $92,761 | $95,268 | $97,776 |
| GS-12 | $90,142 | $93,147 | $96,152 | $99,157 | $102,162 | $105,167 | $108,172 | $111,177 | $114,182 | $117,187 |
| GS-13 | $107,191 | $110,765 | $114,338 | $117,911 | $121,484 | $125,058 | $128,631 | $132,204 | $135,777 | $139,351 |
| GS-14 | $126,668 | $130,891 | $135,114 | $139,337 | $143,559 | $147,782 | $152,005 | $156,228 | $160,451 | $164,673 |
| GS-15 | $148,994 | $153,961 | $158,928 | $163,894 | $168,861 | $173,828 | $178,794 | $183,761 | $188,728 | $193,694 |
Calculate Your Exact Tucson, AZ Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Tucson-Nogales, AZ locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Tucson-Nogales, AZBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+17.89%)
$26,379
Total Annual
$173,828
Biweekly
$6,686
Hourly: $83.29
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 Tucson, AZ Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Tucson, AZ +17.89% | Phoenix, AZ +20.32% | Albuquerque, NM +17.63% | Las Vegas, NV +19.34% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $90,142 | $92,000 +$1,858 | $89,943 -$199 | $91,251 +$1,109 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $102,162 | $104,268 +$2,106 | $101,937 -$225 | $103,419 +$1,257 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $121,484 | $123,989 +$2,505 | $121,217 -$267 | $122,979 +$1,495 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $193,694 | $197,200* +$3,506 | $193,267 -$427 | $196,077 +$2,383 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Tucson, AZ.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Phoenix, AZ earn $2,106 more per year than those in Tucson, AZ, while those in Albuquerque, NM earn $225 less.
Career Salary Growth in Tucson, AZ
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Tucson, AZ locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Tucson, AZ Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $50,818 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $62,160 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $75,208 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $96,152 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $121,484 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $164,673 |
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 Tucson, AZ
How much does a GS-12 make in Tucson, AZ in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Tucson-Nogales, AZ locality area earns between $90,142 (Step 1) and $117,187 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 17.89% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Tucson, AZ?
The Tucson, AZ locality pay adjustment is 17.89% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1789 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $102,162.
How does Tucson, AZ federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Tucson, AZ has a 17.89% locality rate. Nearby areas include Phoenix, AZ (20.32%), Albuquerque, NM (17.63%), Las Vegas, NV (19.34%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Tucson, AZ?
GS salaries in Tucson, AZ are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 17.89% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $193,694, which is below the cap.
Which federal agencies have offices in Tucson, AZ?
Major federal employers in the Tucson, AZ area include Davis-Monthan AFB, VA, CBP, NPS, USFS. Covers Tucson, Nogales, and surrounding Pima County, Arizona 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 Tucson, AZ area at 17.89% reflects the local cost of labor.