GS Pay Calculator

GS pay has two parts. The base rate comes from the General Schedule, which has 15 grades and 10 steps (5 U.S.C. 5332). Locality pay is a percentage on top, set for each pay area by OPM (5 U.S.C. 5304). OPM computes the locality-adjusted rate as base x (1 + locality percent), rounds to the nearest dollar and limits the result to the Executive Schedule level IV rate.

Hourly pay is the annual rate divided by 2,087 and rounded to the nearest cent. The biweekly rate is the rounded hourly rate times 80 (5 U.S.C. 5504(b)), before taxes and deductions; the monthly figure is the annual rate divided by 12. Your duty station sets the locality area; see OPM's 2026 General Schedule page or base table (checked October 23, 2026). Retirement and savings math on top of these salaries is in the FERS retirement calculator and the TSP calculator.

For GS-1 to GS-4 the locality rate is not always what you are paid. OPM's nationwide special rate table 001M applies to all General Schedule employees whose official worksite is in the United States, including its territories and possessions, when its rate is higher than the rate they would otherwise receive at the same grade and step. It covers GS-1 to GS-3 at every step and GS-4 at steps 1 to 5, and the calculator, the step timeline, the promotion calculator and the overtime estimate all use the higher rate (greater-of rule, 5 U.S.C. 5305(h); 5 CFR 530.303(d)). Across the 58 areas, 001M is the payable rate for 579 of 580 GS-1 rates, 563 of 580 GS-2 rates, 428 of 580 GS-3 rates and 53 of 290 GS-4 rates (in 20, 15, 12, 5 and 1 areas at GS-4 steps 1 to 5); everywhere else the locality rate is higher. Browse every grade on the GS pay scale 2026 pages.

A within-grade increase (step increase) moves you to the next step of your grade. You earn it when you meet three requirements: a rating of record of at least Level 3, completion of the waiting period, and no equivalent increase during the waiting period (5 U.S.C. 5335; 5 CFR 531.404).

The increase takes effect on the first day of the first pay period after the waiting period ends (5 CFR 531.412). Each waiting period starts on the effective date of the previous increase (5 CFR 531.405(b)), so the timeline above adds whole weeks to the effective date of your current step from your SF-50. It assumes every increase takes effect as soon as it is due. It does not model non-creditable time (some nonpay status counts toward the waiting period and some does not; see 5 CFR 531.406), a break in service, a quality step increase, a delayed acceptable-level-of-competence determination or employees without a scheduled tour of duty (260, 520 and 780 days in pay status). Within-grade increases apply only to permanent positions. Your SF-50 shows your actual within-grade increase date. Sources: 5 CFR 531.405, 5 U.S.C. 5335 and OPM's within-grade increase fact sheet.

OPM's two-step promotion rule (5 U.S.C. 5334(b), 5 CFR 531.214) gives a promoted employee the lowest rate of the higher grade that is at least two step increases above the current rate. The standard method works in four steps:

1. If the worksite changes, convert to the pay tables of the new location, using your current grade and step.
2. Raise your current GS rate by two within-grade increases of your current grade.
3. Apply the locality payment that applies to that rate.
4. Take the lowest step of the new grade that equals or exceeds the result.

From step 9 or 10, the increases beyond step 10 equal the step 9-10 increase of your grade. The rule applies to any higher grade, including promotions of more than one grade. If the amount is above the top of the new grade, pay is set at step 10. Where the Executive Schedule level IV cap limits the rate, OPM gives no explicit guidance on which step to compare, so the calculator compares at the capped rate and shows the uncapped step as well when they differ. For GS-1 to GS-4 the employee's highest applicable rate, including special rate table 001M, is used in the same way (5 CFR 531.214(d)). Not included: occupation-specific special rate schedules, law enforcement and wildland firefighter base rates, the alternate method, retained pay, GM employees and the maximum payable rate rule, which can set pay higher based on earlier federal pay. Your agency HR office applies these rules and your SF-50 shows the result.

Title 5 overtime (5 U.S.C. 5542; 5 CFR 550.113) pays 1.5 times your hourly rate if your pay does not exceed the minimum rate of GS-10 in your locality. Above that, it pays the greater of 1.5 times the GS-10 step 1 hourly rate or your own hourly rate, so higher-paid FLSA-exempt employees often get straight time. FLSA non-exempt employees are paid 1.5 times their hourly regular rate with no GS-10 limit (5 CFR 551.501). Check your SF-50 and your agency for your FLSA status. Title 5 premium pay is also subject to the biweekly and annual earnings limits in 5 CFR 550.105 to 550.107; FLSA overtime is excluded from those limits (5 CFR 551.501(d)). OPM publishes the title 5 overtime rates for every grade and step in its Rest of U.S. and Washington-Baltimore hourly tables.

Total locality-adjusted GS pay cannot exceed the Executive Schedule level IV rate, $197,200 in 2026. Where base times locality would be higher, OPM publishes the capped figure with an asterisk, and this page does the same: capped cells in the pay scale table are marked with an asterisk, and the calculator shows a notice when your selection is capped.