GS Pay Scale 2026
The 2026 General Schedule base table for GS-1 to GS-15, the locality percentage for each of the 58 pay areas, and a page for every grade with pay by step and locality, hourly and biweekly rates. All figures come from OPM's 2026 tables (checked October 23, 2026). Looking for next year? See federal pay raise 2027.
Maintained by Archie Chang · OPM tables checked October 23, 2026 · Methodology & sources
GS base pay table 2026
Base pay before locality, by grade and step. Select a grade to see its pay in every locality.
| 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 |
Pay by grade
Step 1 to step 10 pay in 2026 for the base table, Rest of U.S. and Washington-Baltimore-Arlington. GS-1 to GS-4 show the payable rate, which includes special rate table 001M (explained below).
| Grade | Base (step 1 to 10) | Rest of U.S. | Washington-Baltimore |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 pay scale | $22,584 to $28,248 | $35,048† (special rate table 001M) to $41,564† (special rate table 001M) | $35,048† (special rate table 001M) to $41,564† (special rate table 001M) |
| GS-2 pay scale | $25,393 to $31,953 | $35,749† (special rate table 001M) to $43,120† (special rate table 001M) | $35,749† (special rate table 001M) to $43,120† (special rate table 001M) |
| GS-3 pay scale | $27,708 to $36,024 | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) to $44,780† (special rate table 001M) | $37,112 to $48,251 |
| GS-4 pay scale | $31,103 to $40,436 | $37,193† (special rate table 001M) to $47,334 | $41,659 to $54,160 |
| GS-5 pay scale | $34,799 to $45,239 | $40,736 to $52,957 | $46,610 to $60,593 |
| GS-6 pay scale | $38,791 to $50,428 | $45,409 to $59,031 | $51,957 to $67,543 |
| GS-7 pay scale | $43,106 to $56,039 | $50,460 to $65,599 | $57,736 to $75,059 |
| GS-8 pay scale | $47,738 to $62,057 | $55,882 to $72,644 | $63,940 to $83,119 |
| GS-9 pay scale | $52,727 to $68,549 | $61,722 to $80,243 | $70,623 to $91,815 |
| GS-10 pay scale | $58,064 to $75,479 | $67,970 to $88,356 | $77,771 to $101,097 |
| GS-11 pay scale | $63,795 to $82,938 | $74,678 to $97,087 | $85,447 to $111,087 |
| GS-12 pay scale | $76,463 to $99,404 | $89,508 to $116,362 | $102,415 to $133,142 |
| GS-13 pay scale | $90,925 to $118,204 | $106,437 to $138,370 | $121,785 to $158,322 |
| GS-14 pay scale | $107,446 to $139,684 | $125,776 to $163,514 | $143,913 to $187,093 |
| GS-15 pay scale | $126,384 to $164,301 | $147,945 to $192,331 | $169,279 to $197,200 |
How to read the GS pay scale
The grade (GS-1 to GS-15) sets the level of the job and the step (1 to 10) rewards time in grade. Find both on the base table, then add locality pay for your duty station. OPM computes the locality-adjusted rate as base x (1 + locality percent), rounds to the nearest dollar and limits it to the Executive Schedule level IV rate. Hourly pay is the annual rate divided by 2,087, rounded to the cent; the biweekly rate is that hourly rate times 80 (5 U.S.C. 5504(b)).
Your duty station, not where you live, decides your locality area. To work out your own pay, promotion or next step increase, use the GS pay calculator.
Special rate table 001M for GS-1 to GS-4
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 the rate for their grade and step would otherwise be lower. Where it is higher than the locality rate, it is the rate you are paid; the grade pages mark those rates with a dagger (†). In 2026 it covers GS-1 to GS-3 at every step and GS-4 at steps 1 to 5 (steps 6 to 10 are blank because locality rates are higher). OPM raised every special rate table 1.0% for 2026 and terminated or reduced none. The higher of the locality rate and the special rate is paid (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.
| Grade | 001M step 1 | Rest of U.S. locality step 1 | Last step covered | 001M at last step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $35,048 | $26,437 | Step 10 | $41,564 |
| GS-2 | $35,749 | $29,725 | Step 10 | $43,120 |
| GS-3 | $36,464 | $32,435 | Step 10 | $44,780 |
| GS-4 | $37,193 | $36,409 | Step 5 | $41,341 |
Source: OPM special rate table 001M. Occupation-specific special rate tables, which can pay more, are not included here.
Locality pay percentages 2026
The last column shows what each percentage means for GS-12 step 1.
| Locality pay area | Locality % | GS-12 step 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA | 20.77% | $92,344 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM | 18.33% | $90,479 |
| Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL | 23.79% | $94,654 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX | 20.35% | $92,023 |
| Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL | 18.24% | $90,410 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT | 32.58% | $101,375 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY | 22.41% | $93,598 |
| Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT | 19.45% | $91,335 |
| Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC | 19.67% | $91,503 |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | 30.86% | $100,059 |
| Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN | 21.93% | $93,231 |
| Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | 22.23% | $93,461 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 20.15% | $91,870 |
| Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH | 22.15% | $93,400 |
| Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX | 17.63% | $89,943 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK | 27.26% | $97,307 |
| Davenport-Moline, IA-IL | 18.93% | $90,937 |
| Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH | 21.42% | $92,841 |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | 30.52% | $99,800 |
| Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA | 18.01% | $90,234 |
| Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI | 29.12% | $98,729 |
| Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA | 17.65% | $89,959 |
| Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | 19.43% | $91,320 |
| Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA | 32.08% | $100,992 |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX | 35.00% | $103,225 |
| Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN | 21.91% | $93,216 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN | 18.15% | $90,341 |
| Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS | 18.97% | $90,968 |
| Laredo, TX | 21.59% | $92,971 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ | 19.57% | $91,427 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | 36.47% | $104,349 |
| Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL | 24.67% | $95,326 |
| Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI | 22.42% | $93,606 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI | 27.62% | $97,582 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | 37.95% | $105,481 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA | 18.23% | $90,402 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 17.93% | $90,173 |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 28.99% | $98,630 |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | 22.45% | $93,629 |
| Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV | 21.03% | $92,543 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA | 26.13% | $96,443 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC | 22.24% | $93,468 |
| Reno-Fernley, NV | 17.52% | $89,859 |
| Richmond, VA | 22.28% | $93,499 |
| Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY | 17.88% | $90,135 |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV | 29.76% | $99,218 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX | 18.78% | $90,823 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 33.72% | $102,246 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | 46.34% | $111,896 |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | 31.57% | $100,602 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID | 17.67% | $89,974 |
| St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL | 20.03% | $91,779 |
| State of Alaska | 32.36% | $101,206 |
| State of Hawaii | 22.21% | $93,445 |
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ | 19.28% | $91,205 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC | 18.80% | $90,838 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | 33.94% | $102,415 |
| Rest of U.S. | 17.06% | $89,508 |
The GS pay cap in 2026
Locality-adjusted GS pay cannot exceed the Executive Schedule level IV rate, $197,200 in 2026. OPM marks rates limited to the rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5304(g)(1)) with an asterisk in its locality tables. Grade pages mark capped rates with an asterisk.
GS pay scale questions
What is the GS pay scale for 2026?
The 2026 General Schedule has 15 grades with 10 steps each. Base pay runs from $22,584 (GS-1 step 1) to $164,301 (GS-15 step 10). Most employees also receive locality pay, so the number you are paid depends on your grade, step and duty station.
How is GS locality pay calculated?
OPM multiplies the base rate by 1 plus the locality percentage and rounds to the nearest dollar. For GS-12 step 1 in Rest of U.S. (17.06%), $76,463 becomes $89,508. The result is limited to the Executive Schedule level IV rate. GS-1 to GS-4 can be paid more under special rate table 001M.
What is special rate table 001M for GS-1 to GS-4?
OPM special rate table 001M is a nationwide special rate table that applies to all General Schedule employees whose worksite is in the United States, including its territories and possessions, when the rate for their grade and step would otherwise be lower. In 2026 it covers GS-1 to GS-3 at every step and GS-4 at steps 1 to 5. GS-1 step 1 is $35,048 instead of the Rest of U.S. locality rate of $26,437. In high-locality areas the locality rate can be higher, and then it applies. The grade pages mark 001M rates with a dagger. Occupation-specific special rate tables are not included.
How do I read the GS pay table?
Find your grade in the left column and your step across the top. That is the base rate. Open your grade page for the pay in your area, or multiply by your area's locality percentage. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, for example, is 33.94%, which takes GS-12 step 1 to $102,415.
What is the GS pay cap in 2026?
Locality-adjusted GS pay cannot exceed the Executive Schedule level IV rate, $197,200 in 2026 (5 U.S.C. 5304(g)(1)). OPM prints capped rates with an asterisk. The cap affects the upper steps of GS-14 and GS-15 in the highest-paying areas.
How are hourly and biweekly GS pay calculated?
The hourly rate is the annual rate divided by 2,087, rounded to the nearest cent. The biweekly rate is the rounded hourly rate times 80 (5 U.S.C. 5504(b)). GS-12 step 1 in Rest of U.S. is $42.89 per hour and $3,431.20 biweekly.
Will the GS pay scale change in 2027?
The 2027 federal pay raise is not final and OPM has not published 2027 salary tables, so every figure on these pages is a 2026 rate. Step increases and promotions are separate from the annual raise. See federal pay raise 2027 for the status.
Estimates for planning. Special rates, law enforcement rates and your agency's application of OPM rules can differ. Your SF-50 and your agency HR office are authoritative.
Authoritative sources: OPM 2026 General Schedule tables · OPM 2026 base table (PDF) · OPM special rate table 001M