2026 GS Pay Scale: Complete Pay Tables
The complete 2026 General Schedule pay tables with all 15 grades, 10 steps, and locality areas. Toggle between annual, biweekly, and hourly views.
What is the 2026 GS Pay Scale?
The 2026 GS pay scale ranges from $22,584 (GS-1 Step 1) to $164,301 (GS-15 Step 10) in base pay, across 15 grades and 10 steps. With locality pay, total salaries range from $26,437 (GS-1, Rest of U.S.) up to the $197,200 Executive Level IV cap. The 2026 raise was 1% base; locality rates held at 2025 levels.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,584 | $25,589 | $28,248 |
| GS-5 | $34,799 | $39,439 | $45,239 |
| GS-7 | $43,106 | $48,854 | $56,039 |
| GS-9 | $52,727 | $59,759 | $68,549 |
| GS-11 | $63,795 | $72,303 | $82,938 |
| GS-12 | $76,463 | $86,659 | $99,404 |
| GS-13 | $90,925 | $103,049 | $118,204 |
| GS-14 | $107,446 | $121,774 | $139,684 |
| GS-15 | $126,384 | $143,236 | $164,301 |
Base pay only — add your locality percentage for total salary. See 2026 locality rates below or use the GS Pay Calculator for instant results.
Look Up Your 2026 GS Salary
2026 Federal Pay Raise Overview
For 2026, federal employees under the General Schedule receive a 1% across-the-board base pay increase. Locality pay rates remain frozen at 2025 levels. This was established through an executive order alternative pay plan.
Effective Date: The 2026 pay rates took effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026 (January 11, 2026 for most agencies).
Law Enforcement Exception: Federal law enforcement personnel covered under specific authorities receive a higher 3.8% increase for 2026.
How is GS Pay Calculated?
GS pay is calculated using a simple formula that combines your base pay with your locality adjustment:
GS Pay Formula
Total Pay = Base Pay × (1 + Locality Percentage)Example for GS-12 Step 5 in Washington DC:
- Base pay: $86,659
- DC locality rate: 33.94%
- Calculation: $86,659 × 1.3394 = $116,071
- Biweekly: $4,464 (÷ 26 pay periods)
- Hourly: $55.62 (÷ 2,087 work hours)
Your base pay is determined by your GS grade (1-15) and step (1-10). Your locality percentage depends on your duty station's location among the 58 designated pay areas. Use our GS Pay Calculator to calculate your exact salary instantly.
2026 GS Base Pay Table, All 10 Steps
Complete base pay table for all 15 GS grades and 10 steps. Toggle between annual salary, biweekly pay, and hourly rate. Base pay is before locality adjustments.
Base pay before locality adjustments
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,584 | $23,341 | $24,092 | $24,840 | $25,589 | $26,028 | $26,771 | $27,519 | $27,550 | $28,248 |
| GS-2 | $25,393 | $25,997 | $26,839 | $27,550 | $27,858 | $28,677 | $29,496 | $30,315 | $31,134 | $31,953 |
| GS-3 | $27,708 | $28,632 | $29,556 | $30,480 | $31,404 | $32,328 | $33,252 | $34,176 | $35,100 | $36,024 |
| GS-4 | $31,103 | $32,140 | $33,177 | $34,214 | $35,251 | $36,288 | $37,325 | $38,362 | $39,399 | $40,436 |
| GS-5 | $34,799 | $35,959 | $37,119 | $38,279 | $39,439 | $40,599 | $41,759 | $42,919 | $44,079 | $45,239 |
| GS-6 | $38,791 | $40,084 | $41,377 | $42,670 | $43,963 | $45,256 | $46,549 | $47,842 | $49,135 | $50,428 |
| GS-7 | $43,106 | $44,543 | $45,980 | $47,417 | $48,854 | $50,291 | $51,728 | $53,165 | $54,602 | $56,039 |
| GS-8 | $47,738 | $49,329 | $50,920 | $52,511 | $54,102 | $55,693 | $57,284 | $58,875 | $60,466 | $62,057 |
| GS-9 | $52,727 | $54,485 | $56,243 | $58,001 | $59,759 | $61,517 | $63,275 | $65,033 | $66,791 | $68,549 |
| GS-10 | $58,064 | $59,999 | $61,934 | $63,869 | $65,804 | $67,739 | $69,674 | $71,609 | $73,544 | $75,479 |
| GS-11 | $63,795 | $65,922 | $68,049 | $70,176 | $72,303 | $74,430 | $76,557 | $78,684 | $80,811 | $82,938 |
| GS-12 | $76,463 | $79,012 | $81,561 | $84,110 | $86,659 | $89,208 | $91,757 | $94,306 | $96,855 | $99,404 |
| GS-13 | $90,925 | $93,956 | $96,987 | $100,018 | $103,049 | $106,080 | $109,111 | $112,142 | $115,173 | $118,204 |
| GS-14 | $107,446 | $111,028 | $114,610 | $118,192 | $121,774 | $125,356 | $128,938 | $132,520 | $136,102 | $139,684 |
| GS-15 | $126,384 | $130,597 | $134,810 | $139,023 | $143,236 | $147,449 | $151,662 | $155,875 | $160,088 | $164,301 |
These are base rates before locality pay. Use the full calculator to see your salary with locality adjustments for your duty station.
How Locality Pay Works
Locality pay is an additional percentage added to base pay based on where you work. It exists to make federal salaries competitive with private sector wages in high-cost areas.
Locality Pay Formula
Total Salary = Base Pay × (1 + Locality Rate)Example: GS-12 Step 5 ($86,659) in DC (33.94%): $86,659 × 1.3394 = $116,071
OPM publishes 2026 locality pay areas for named metropolitan/regional areas, special areas, and Rest of U.S. If your duty station isn't in a specific locality area, you receive the "Rest of United States" rate of 17.06%.
All Locality Pay Areas (2026)
Every locality pay area with percentage rates and example GS-12 Step 5 salaries. Click a locality name to see the full pay table for that area. Sort by name or rate, and use the search box to find your area.
Showing 59 of 59 locality areas. Click column headers to sort.
How GS Step Increases Work
Within each GS grade, there are 10 steps. Employees advance through steps based on acceptable performance and time in grade:
Total time from Step 1 to Step 10: 18 years with acceptable performance. Each step increase is approximately 3% higher pay.
Quality Step Increases (QSI): Employees with exceptional performance may receive a QSI, advancing one step without waiting the normal period. Limited to one QSI per year.
Executive Level IV Pay Cap ($197,200)
GS employees cannot earn more than Executive Schedule Level IV, which is $197,200 for 2026. This cap primarily affects:
- GS-15 employees in high-locality areas (SF, DC, NYC, LA)
- Some GS-14 Step 10 employees in the highest localities
Pay Cap Example
A GS-15 Step 10 ($164,301 base) in San Jose-San Francisco (46.34% locality) calculates to $240,438. However, actual salary is capped at $197,200.
Does this affect retirement? Yes. Your High-3 average salary for FERS pension calculation is based on actual salary received, including any cap limitations. Learn more in our FERS Retirement Planning Guide.
Special Rate Tables
Some occupations have "special rate tables" with higher pay than the standard GS schedule. These exist for hard-to-fill positions where federal pay would otherwise be uncompetitive:
- IT specialists (2210 series) in many locations
- Engineers (0800 series)
- Nurses and medical professionals
- Border Patrol agents
- Air traffic controllers
Special rates use the higher of: (1) special rate table, or (2) locality-adjusted GS rate. Check OPM's special rate tables or ask your HR office if your position qualifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GS-12 salary in 2026?↓
What is a GS-13 salary in 2026?↓
What is a GS-14 salary in 2026?↓
What is the 2026 federal pay raise?↓
What is the GS pay cap for 2026?↓
How do GS locality pay areas work in 2026?↓
When does the 2026 GS pay raise take effect?↓
How do GS step increases work?↓
Which locality has the highest pay in 2026?↓
How do I calculate my biweekly GS pay?↓
What is the GS hourly rate?↓
2026 Federal Benefits Cheat Sheet
Download our free 1-page PDF with GS pay ranges, TSP limits, FERS formula, and key dates. Perfect for printing.