2026 GS Pay Scale and Locality Tables
Official 2026 General Schedule base tables, locality rates, step progression, and pay cap rules for federal employees.
Calculate Your 2026 Salary Instantly
Enter your grade, step, and locality to see your exact pay.
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.
1%
Base Pay Increase
0%
Locality Adjustment
$197,200
Pay Cap (EX-IV)
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
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
Base pay before locality adjustments. All GS employees use this table, then apply their locality percentage.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,584 | $25,589 | $28,248 |
| GS-2 | $25,393 | $27,858 | $31,953 |
| GS-3 | $27,708 | $31,404 | $36,024 |
| GS-4 | $31,103 | $35,251 | $40,436 |
| GS-5 | $34,799 | $39,439 | $45,239 |
| GS-6 | $38,791 | $43,963 | $50,428 |
| GS-7 | $43,106 | $48,854 | $56,039 |
| GS-8 | $47,738 | $54,102 | $62,057 |
| GS-9 | $52,727 | $59,759 | $68,549 |
| GS-10 | $58,064 | $65,804 | $75,479 |
| 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 |
Use the full calculator to see all 10 steps and calculate with locality pay.
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
There are 58 locality pay areas in 2026. If your duty station isn't in a specific locality area, you receive the "Rest of United States" rate of 17.06%.
Highest Paying Locality Areas (2026)
| Locality Area | Rate | GS-13/5 Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | 45.25% | $149,679 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | 36.16% | $140,312 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | 33.94% | $138,024 |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX-LA | 32.55% | $136,591 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | 32.30% | $136,334 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 29.57% | $133,521 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-ME | 28.18% | $132,088 |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | 27.60% | $131,491 |
| Rest of United States | 17.06% | $120,629 |
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:
Steps 1 → 2 → 3
1 year
waiting period each
Steps 4 → 5 → 6
2 years
waiting period each
Steps 7 → 8 → 9 → 10
3 years
waiting period each
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 (45.25% locality) calculates to $238,647. 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?↓
A GS-12 salary in 2026 ranges from $76,463 (Step 1) to $99,404 (Step 10) before locality pay. With locality adjustments, GS-12 Step 1 pay ranges from about $89,508 (Rest of U.S.) to $111,063 (San Jose-San Francisco). Use our calculator to see your exact salary by grade, step, and duty station.
What is a GS-13 salary in 2026?↓
A GS-13 salary in 2026 ranges from $90,925 (Step 1) to $118,204 (Step 10) before locality pay. At Step 5, pay is $138,024 in Washington, DC and $149,679 in San Jose-San Francisco.
What is a GS-14 salary in 2026?↓
A GS-14 salary in 2026 ranges from $107,446 (Step 1) to $139,684 (Step 10) before locality pay. In high-locality areas, GS-14 pay can approach or reach the Executive Level IV cap of $197,200.
What is the 2026 federal pay raise?↓
The 2026 federal pay raise is 1% across-the-board for base pay, with locality pay rates frozen at 2025 levels. This was set by executive order as an alternative pay plan. Law enforcement officers receive a higher 3.8% increase.
What is the GS pay cap for 2026?↓
The 2026 GS pay cap is $197,200, which equals Executive Schedule Level IV. Any GS employee whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount has their pay capped at $197,200.
How many GS locality pay areas are there in 2026?↓
There are 58 locality pay areas in 2026: 53 named metropolitan/regional areas plus 5 special locality areas, including the "Rest of United States" (RUS) rate for locations outside designated areas. The RUS rate is 17.06% in 2026.
When does the 2026 GS pay raise take effect?↓
The 2026 GS pay rates become effective on the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026. For most agencies, that pay period started on January 11, 2026.
How do GS step increases work?↓
GS employees advance through 10 steps within their grade. Steps 1-3: 1 year waiting period each. Steps 4-6: 2 years each. Steps 7-10: 3 years each. Total time from Step 1 to Step 10 is 18 years.
Which locality has the highest pay in 2026?↓
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA has the highest 2026 locality rate at 45.25%. A GS-13 Step 5 salary there is $149,679, before any Executive Level IV cap applies.
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.