GS-3 Pay Scale 2026
GS-3 base pay in 2026 runs from $27,708 at step 1 to $36,024 at step 10. With locality pay and special rate table 001M, step 1 ranges from $36,464 (49 areas) to $40,548 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA), and step 10 ranges from $44,780 (39 areas) to $52,718 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA).
Rates are OPM's 2026 tables (checked October 23, 2026). New to the table? See how to read the GS pay scale or use the GS pay calculator for your own grade, step and locality.
Maintained by Archie Chang · OPM tables checked October 23, 2026 · Methodology & sources
GS-3 pay by step
Base pay and the Rest of U.S. rate at each step, with hourly and biweekly pay and the wait for the next step.
| Step | Base pay | Base raise | Rest of U.S. annual | Hourly | Biweekly | Wait for next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $27,708 | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $17.47 | $1,397.60 | 52 weeks | |
| Step 2 | $28,632 | +$924 | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $17.91 | $1,432.80 | 52 weeks |
| Step 3 | $29,556 | +$924 | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $18.36 | $1,468.80 | 52 weeks |
| Step 4 | $30,480 | +$924 | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $18.80 | $1,504.00 | 104 weeks |
| Step 5 | $31,404 | +$924 | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $19.24 | $1,539.20 | 104 weeks |
| Step 6 | $32,328 | +$924 | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $19.69 | $1,575.20 | 104 weeks |
| Step 7 | $33,252 | +$924 | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $20.13 | $1,610.40 | 156 weeks |
| Step 8 | $34,176 | +$924 | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $20.57 | $1,645.60 | 156 weeks |
| Step 9 | $35,100 | +$924 | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $21.01 | $1,680.80 | 156 weeks |
| Step 10 | $36,024 | +$924 | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) | $21.46 | $1,716.80 | Top step |
Rates marked † are set by OPM special rate table 001M, which applies to all General Schedule employees whose worksite is in the United States, including its territories and possessions, when it pays more than the locality rate (5 U.S.C. 5305(h); 5 CFR 530.303(d)). It covers every step of GS-3. It sets 428 of the 580 rates below (49 of 58 areas at step 1, 39 at step 10); elsewhere the locality rate from OPM's locality tables is higher and applies. Occupation-specific special rate tables are not included. OPM special rate table 001M.
GS-3 in numbers
- Base pay rises 30.0% from step 1 ($27,708) to step 10 ($36,024).
- GS-4 step 1 in Rest of U.S. ($37,193) is $7,587 below GS-3 step 10 ($44,780).
- No area pays GS-3 $100,000 or more, even at step 10.
- Moving from Rest of U.S. to San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA adds $4,084 at step 1 and $7,938 at step 10.
- No GS-3 rate reaches the $197,200 cap; the highest is $52,718 at step 10 in San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA.
- Special rate table 001M sets GS-3 pay in 428 of 580 rates: 49 of 58 areas at step 1 and 39 at step 10. In Rest of U.S. it lifts step 1 from the locality rate of $32,435 to $36,464.
GS-3 pay range across localities
- Step 1: from $36,464 (49 areas) to $40,548 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA).
- Step 10: from $44,780 (39 areas) to $52,718 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA).
GS-3 pay by locality
Annual pay in all 58 locality pay areas, highest locality percentage first. An asterisk marks a rate limited to the $197,200 Executive Schedule level IV cap and a dagger (†) marks a rate set by special rate table 001M.
| Locality pay area | Locality % | Step 1 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | 46.34% | $40,548 | $52,718 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | 37.95% | $38,223 | $49,695 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | 36.47% | $37,813 | $49,162 |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX | 35.00% | $37,406 | $48,632 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | 33.94% | $37,112 | $48,251 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 33.72% | $37,051 | $48,171 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT | 32.58% | $36,735 | $47,761 |
| State of Alaska | 32.36% | $36,674 | $47,681 |
| Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA | 32.08% | $36,597 | $47,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | 31.57% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $47,397 |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | 30.86% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $47,141 |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | 30.52% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $47,019 |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV | 29.76% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $46,745 |
| Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI | 29.12% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $46,514 |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 28.99% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $46,467 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI | 27.62% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $45,974 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK | 27.26% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $45,844 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA | 26.13% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $45,437 |
| Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL | 24.67% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,911 |
| Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL | 23.79% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | 22.45% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI | 22.42% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY | 22.41% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Richmond, VA | 22.28% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC | 22.24% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | 22.23% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| State of Hawaii | 22.21% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH | 22.15% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN | 21.93% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN | 21.91% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Laredo, TX | 21.59% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH | 21.42% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV | 21.03% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA | 20.77% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX | 20.35% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 20.15% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL | 20.03% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC | 19.67% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ | 19.57% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT | 19.45% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | 19.43% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ | 19.28% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS | 18.97% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Davenport-Moline, IA-IL | 18.93% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC | 18.80% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX | 18.78% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM | 18.33% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL | 18.24% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA | 18.23% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN | 18.15% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA | 18.01% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 17.93% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY | 17.88% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID | 17.67% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA | 17.65% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX | 17.63% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Reno-Fernley, NV | 17.52% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Rest of U.S. | 17.06% | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
Show all 10 steps for every area
| Locality pay area | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | $40,548 | $41,900 | $43,252 | $44,604 | $45,957 | $47,309 | $48,661 | $50,013 | $51,365 | $52,718 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | $38,223 | $39,498 | $40,773 | $42,047 | $43,322 | $44,596 | $45,871 | $47,146 | $48,420 | $49,695 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | $37,813 | $39,074 | $40,335 | $41,596 | $42,857 | $44,118 | $45,379 | $46,640 | $47,901 | $49,162 |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX | $37,406 | $38,653 | $39,901 | $41,148 | $42,395 | $43,643 | $44,890 | $46,138 | $47,385 | $48,632 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | $37,112 | $38,350 | $39,587 | $40,825 | $42,063 | $43,300 | $44,538 | $45,775 | $47,013 | $48,251 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $37,051 | $38,287 | $39,522 | $40,758 | $41,993 | $43,229 | $44,465 | $45,700 | $46,936 | $48,171 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT | $36,735 | $37,960 | $39,185 | $40,410 | $41,635 | $42,860 | $44,086 | $45,311 | $46,536 | $47,761 |
| State of Alaska | $36,674 | $37,897 | $39,120 | $40,343 | $41,566 | $42,789 | $44,012 | $45,235 | $46,458 | $47,681 |
| Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA | $36,597 | $37,817 | $39,038 | $40,258 | $41,478 | $42,699 | $43,919 | $45,140 | $46,360 | $47,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,671 | $38,887 | $40,103 | $41,318 | $42,534 | $43,750 | $44,965 | $46,181 | $47,397 |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,468 | $38,677 | $39,886 | $41,095 | $42,304 | $43,514 | $44,723 | $45,932 | $47,141 |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,576 | $39,782 | $40,989 | $42,195 | $43,401 | $44,607 | $45,813 | $47,019 |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,352 | $39,551 | $40,750 | $41,949 | $43,148 | $44,347 | $45,546 | $46,745 |
| Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,356 | $40,549 | $41,742 | $42,935 | $44,128 | $45,321 | $46,514 |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,316 | $40,508 | $41,700 | $42,892 | $44,084 | $45,275 | $46,467 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,257 | $42,436 | $43,615 | $44,795 | $45,974 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,141 | $42,316 | $43,492 | $44,668 | $45,844 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $43,106 | $44,272 | $45,437 |
| Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,911 |
| Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Richmond, VA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| State of Hawaii | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Laredo, TX | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Davenport-Moline, IA-IL | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Reno-Fernley, NV | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
| Rest of U.S. | $36,464† (special rate table 001M) | $37,388† (special rate table 001M) | $38,312† (special rate table 001M) | $39,236† (special rate table 001M) | $40,160† (special rate table 001M) | $41,084† (special rate table 001M) | $42,008† (special rate table 001M) | $42,932† (special rate table 001M) | $43,856† (special rate table 001M) | $44,780† (special rate table 001M) |
No GS-3 rate is limited by the cap in any area.
GS-3 hourly and biweekly pay
Hourly and biweekly rates for Rest of U.S., Washington and the largest metro areas, at the first and last step.
| Locality pay area | Step 1 hourly | Step 1 biweekly | Step 10 hourly | Step 10 biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of U.S. | $17.47† (special rate table 001M) | $1,397.60† (special rate table 001M) | $21.46† (special rate table 001M) | $1,716.80† (special rate table 001M) |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | $17.78 | $1,422.40 | $23.12 | $1,849.60 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | $18.31 | $1,464.80 | $23.81 | $1,904.80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | $18.12 | $1,449.60 | $23.56 | $1,884.80 |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | $17.47† (special rate table 001M) | $1,397.60† (special rate table 001M) | $22.59 | $1,807.20 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | $19.43 | $1,554.40 | $25.26 | $2,020.80 |
GS-3 step increases
Moving from step 1 to step 10 takes 936 weeks (18 years) if every increase is on time, and adds $8,316 a year in Rest of U.S. at 2026 rates. Waiting periods follow 5 CFR 531.405; the GS pay calculator dates your own next increase.
| Move | Wait | Total from step 1 | Base pay gain | Rest of U.S. gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 to 2 | 52 weeks | 52 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 2 to 3 | 52 weeks | 104 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 3 to 4 | 52 weeks | 156 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 4 to 5 | 104 weeks | 260 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 5 to 6 | 104 weeks | 364 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 6 to 7 | 104 weeks | 468 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 7 to 8 | 156 weeks | 624 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 8 to 9 | 156 weeks | 780 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
| Step 9 to 10 | 156 weeks | 936 weeks | +$924 | +$924 |
Promotion examples
Examples for a step 5 employee in Rest of U.S. under the two-step promotion rule. Your own result depends on your step, locality and pay history.
- Into GS-3: GS-2 step 5 in Rest of U.S. ($39,025) promoted to GS-3 lands at step 6 ($41,084), a raise of $2,059 a year (special rate table 001M is part of the calculation).
- Out of GS-3: GS-3 step 5 in Rest of U.S. ($40,160) promoted to GS-4 lands at step 6 ($42,479), a raise of $2,319 a year (special rate table 001M is part of the calculation).
GS-3 pay questions
How much does a GS-3 make in 2026?
GS-3 base pay is $27,708 at step 1 and $36,024 at step 10. In Rest of U.S. (17.06% locality) the rate is $36,464 to $44,780 (set by special rate table 001M at steps 1 to 10). Across the 58 locality areas, step 1 ranges from $36,464 (49 areas) to $40,548 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA), and step 10 ranges from $44,780 (39 areas) to $52,718 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA).
How much does a GS-3 make in Washington, DC?
In Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (33.94% locality), GS-3 pay is $37,112 at step 1 and $48,251 at step 10, or $17.78 to $23.12 per hour.
How much does a GS-3 make in San Francisco?
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA has the highest locality payment in 2026 (46.34%). GS-3 pay there is $40,548 at step 1 and $52,718 at step 10, or $19.43 to $25.26 per hour.
How long does it take to go from GS-3 step 1 to step 10?
Going from GS-3 step 1 to step 10 takes 936 weeks, or 18 years, with three increases after 52 weeks, three after 104 weeks and three after 156 weeks. Base pay rises $924 at every step. In Rest of U.S., pay rises $8,316 a year over that time at 2026 rates ($36,464 to $44,780). Table 001M raises $924 a step in Rest of U.S..
What is the GS-3 hourly rate in 2026?
In Rest of U.S., the GS-3 hourly rate is $17.47 at step 1 and $21.46 at step 10 (annual pay divided by 2,087; special rate table 001M sets it at steps 1 to 10). The biweekly rate is $1,397.60 to $1,716.80 before deductions. In Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA, step 1 is $17.78 per hour.
Will GS-3 pay go up in 2027?
The 2027 federal pay raise is not final and OPM has not published 2027 salary tables, so GS-3 rates on this page are 2026 only. Step increases 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