GS Pay Calculator 2026
Calculate your General Schedule (GS) pay based on grade, step, and locality. The 2026 GS pay scale base rates rose 1% effective January 11, 2026, and this calculator applies all 58 official OPM locality areas. Supports 2024, 2025, and 2026 pay tables for side-by-side comparison, plus what-if raise scenarios and a biweekly paycheck breakdown with tax estimates.
Reviewed by Jonathan D., 20-year federal employee · Formulas verified against OPM.gov ·
How federal GS pay works
The General Schedule is the predominant pay scale for federal employees, covering roughly 1.5 million workers across nearly every agency. Your salary depends on three things: grade (GS-1 through GS-15), step (1 through 10 within each grade), and locality — a geographic adjustment for where you work.
The formula is simple: Total = Base × (1 + Locality %). For 2026, base rates rose 1% and FedTools applies the current 2026 OPM locality percentages, ranging from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose–San Francisco). No salary may exceed the Executive Schedule Level IV cap of $197,200.
2026 GS base pay scale — all grades
Base rates for every grade, GS-1 through GS-15 — Steps 1, 5, and 10 — with the Washington–Baltimore locality figure for reference.
| Grade | Step 1 (base) | Step 5 (base) | Step 10 (base) | DC Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,584 | $25,589 | $28,248 | $37,835 |
| GS-2 | $25,393 | $27,858 | $31,953 | $42,798 |
| GS-3 | $27,708 | $31,404 | $36,024 | $48,251 |
| GS-4 | $31,103 | $35,251 | $40,436 | $54,160 |
| GS-5 | $34,799 | $39,439 | $45,239 | $60,593 |
| GS-6 | $38,791 | $43,963 | $50,428 | $67,543 |
| GS-7 | $43,106 | $48,854 | $56,039 | $75,059 |
| GS-8 | $47,738 | $54,102 | $62,057 | $83,119 |
| GS-9 | $52,727 | $59,759 | $68,549 | $91,815 |
| GS-10 | $58,064 | $65,804 | $75,479 | $101,097 |
| GS-11 | $63,795 | $72,303 | $82,938 | $111,087 |
| GS-12 | $76,463 | $86,659 | $99,404 | $133,142 |
| GS-13 | $90,925 | $103,049 | $118,204 | $158,322 |
| GS-14 | $107,446 | $121,774 | $139,684 | $187,093 |
| GS-15 | $126,384 | $143,236 | $164,301 | $197,200* |
Grade-by-grade breakdowns with every step and locality: GS-5 pay scale 2026 · GS-7 pay scale 2026 · GS-9 pay scale 2026 · GS-11 pay scale 2026 · GS-12 pay scale 2026 · GS-13 pay scale 2026 · GS-14 pay scale 2026 · GS-15 pay scale 2026
Step progression
Within-grade increases happen automatically with satisfactory performance, but not quickly. Climbing from Step 1 to Step 10 takes 18 years: Steps 1–3 require one year each, Steps 4–6 two years each, and Steps 7–10 three years each. Each step is worth roughly a 3% raise.
A note on the biweekly figure: the calculator's biweekly amount is gross pay — your locality-adjusted annual salary divided across 26 pay periods. Federal and state taxes, TSP contributions, FEHB premiums, and FERS deductions come out before your deposit lands. For the after-deductions number, use our federal take-home pay calculator.
GS pay vs. the private sector
According to the Federal Salary Council, GS employees earn roughly 22–27% less than private-sector counterparts in comparable positions. Total compensation tells a different story once federal benefits are counted:
- —FERS pension: 1%–1.1% of your high-3 salary per year of service (worth $300K–$800K+ at retirement).
- —TSP matching: up to a 5% government match on your contributions — free money.
- —FEHB health insurance: the government pays 72–75% of premiums, continuing into retirement.
- —Job security: RIF procedures offer significant protection compared to at-will employment.
- —Leave: 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 sick days, and 11 paid holidays.
A 20-year career, modeled
A fed starting at GS-9 Step 1 in Washington, promoting every few years, in DC-adjusted salary.
| Year | Position | DC salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-9 Step 1 | $70,623 |
| Year 3 | GS-11 Step 1 (promoted) | $85,447 |
| Year 5 | GS-12 Step 3 (promoted) | $109,243 |
| Year 10 | GS-13 Step 5 | $138,024 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $187,093 |
Locality pay, ranked
The adjustment added on top of base pay, and what a GS-12 Step 5 earns in each area.
| Locality area | Locality % | GS-12 Step 5 | GS-13 Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco, CA | 46.34% | $126,817 | $150,802 |
| New York, NY | 37.95% | $119,546 | $142,156 |
| Washington, DC | 33.94% | $116,071 | $138,024 |
| Boston, MA | 32.58% | $114,893 | $136,622 |
| Chicago, IL | 30.86% | $113,402 | $134,850 |
| Detroit, MI | 29.12% | $111,894 | $133,057 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 28.99% | $111,781 | $132,923 |
| Houston, TX | 35.00% | $116,990 | $139,116 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 36.47% | $118,264 | $140,631 |
| Seattle, WA | 31.57% | $114,017 | $135,582 |
| Denver, CO | 30.52% | $113,107 | $134,500 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | 27.26% | $110,282 | $131,140 |
| Miami, FL | 24.67% | $108,038 | $128,471 |
| Atlanta, GA | 23.79% | $107,275 | $127,564 |
| Rest of US (default) | 17.06% | $101,443 | $120,629 |
GS pay calculator — frequently asked questions
The questions federal employees ask most about the 2026 GS pay scale, locality rates, grade-by-grade salaries, and how the calculation works.
How is GS pay calculated in 2026?
GS pay = Base Pay (from the GS grade/step table) × (1 + locality percentage). For example, GS-12 Step 5 in DC: $86,659 × 1.3394 = $116,071. Use the calculator above to see your exact annual, biweekly, and hourly pay.
What is the 2026 federal pay raise?
The 2026 GS base table includes a 1% across-the-board increase. FedTools applies the 2026 OPM locality percentages from the salary tables, including corrected 2026 rates for the current locality areas. The Executive Level IV cap is $197,200.
How much does a GS-12 make in 2026?
GS-12 base pay ranges from $76,463 (Step 1) to $99,404 (Step 10). In DC, that range is $102,415 to $133,142 with locality.
What is the highest GS salary in 2026?
The maximum GS salary is capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. GS-15 Step 10 in high-locality areas like San Francisco would exceed this cap but is limited to $197,200.
How much does a GS-13 make?
GS-13 base pay ranges from $90,925 (Step 1) to $118,204 (Step 10). In DC, GS-13 ranges from $121,785 to $158,322.
How long does it take to advance from Step 1 to Step 10?
Total time: 18 years. Steps 1→2→3: 1 year each (3 years). Steps 4→5→6: 2 years each (6 years). Steps 7→8→9→10: 3 years each (9 years). Each step is roughly a 3% raise.
What is locality pay and how does it work?
Locality pay adjusts federal salaries by duty station. In 2026, locality rates range from 17.06% (Rest of US) to 46.34% (San Jose-San Francisco). Your locality is based on where you work, not where you live.
How does federal pay compare to private sector?
Federal Pay Agents estimate GS employees earn 22-27% less than private sector counterparts on average. However, federal jobs offer pension (FERS), TSP matching, FEHB health insurance, and job security.
Can I skip GS steps or grades?
You cannot skip steps within a grade. You CAN skip grades through competitive promotion. The two-step rule ensures promotions give at least a two-step salary increase from your current grade.
How do I find my locality area?
Your locality is determined by your duty station (where you work), not where you live. Use the dropdown in the calculator above to find your area. If not listed in a metro area, you are "Rest of US."
If I telework or work remote, which locality applies?
Locality pay follows your official duty station, the address on your SF-50 or position record, not where you physically work. If your agency approved a remote work agreement designating a specific duty station, that location governs your locality rate. Full-time remote employees hired before return-to-office orders should confirm their official duty station with HR, because a duty-station change also changes the locality percentage.
Why doesn't my biweekly pay times 26 equal my annual salary?
OPM computes your hourly rate by dividing annual salary by 2,087 hours and rounding to the nearest cent; your biweekly pay is that rounded hourly rate times 80 hours. Because of the rounding and because 26 pay periods cover 2,080 hours rather than 2,087, the total you are actually paid across 26 pay dates can differ from the annual table figure, sometimes by a few hundred dollars. This calculator shows a simple annual-divided-by-26 biweekly estimate for budgeting; your LES reflects the OPM hourly-rate method.
How do I calculate my hourly GS pay rate?
Divide your locality-adjusted annual salary by 2,087, the official OPM annual-hours divisor. The calculator above shows the biweekly breakdown automatically; dividing the biweekly gross by 80 gives approximately the same hourly figure.
Can I negotiate my starting step or salary?
Sometimes. Under the superior qualifications authority (5 CFR 531.212), an agency can set a new hire above Step 1 when the candidate has exceptional qualifications or the agency has a special need for the candidate's skills. The justification must rest on your qualifications and experience; current OPM guidance does not allow the pay rate to be based on a competing salary offer. Ask before you accept a tentative offer; agencies rarely volunteer it.
Does this calculator cover law enforcement officer (LEO) pay?
No. Federal law enforcement officers at GS-3 through GS-10 are entitled to special LEO rates that are higher than standard GS rates, under a separate pay schedule, and 2026 special-rate adjustments of roughly 3.8% applied to certain covered law-enforcement personnel. Use OPM LEO salary tables for exact figures. Separately, GS-1 through GS-4 salaries can differ under the nationwide special rate table 001M, which sets a floor above the base table.
How much does a GS-14 make in 2026?
GS-14 base pay ranges from $107,446 (Step 1) to $139,684 (Step 10). In high-locality areas, GS-14 Step 10 can approach the $197,200 cap.
How much does a GS-15 make in 2026?
GS-15 base pay ranges from $126,384 (Step 1) to $164,301 (Step 10). In many localities, GS-15 Step 10 is capped at $197,200 due to the Executive Level IV salary limit.
What are the highest-paying locality areas in 2026?
Highest locality rates in 2026 include San Jose-San Francisco (46.34%), New York (37.95%), Washington DC (33.94%), Houston (35.00%), and Los Angeles (36.47%). Rest of US is 17.06%.
When do GS pay raises take effect?
Annual GS pay raises take effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1. For 2026, that pay period started January 11, 2026 for most agencies. Within-grade increases take effect after the required waiting period.
What is the GS pay scale for 2026?
The 2026 GS base scale ranges from $22,584 (GS-1 Step 1) to $164,301 (GS-15 Step 10), before locality. Locality-adjusted salaries can exceed those values but are capped at $197,200.
How much will I make after a promotion?
Under the two-step rule, a promotion pays the higher of: Step 1 of the new grade, or the lowest step of the new grade that is at least two steps above your current rate. In practice most promotions land at Step 2 or higher of the new grade. Model your exact promotion outcome with our GS Promotion Calculator.
Browse GS pay by locality
A complete 2026 pay table for every federal locality area — all 15 grades, all 10 steps.