2026 Federal Pay Raise: 1% across-the-board base pay increase. Locality pay rates frozen at 2025 levels.
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Introduction
The federal General Schedule pay system covers more than 1.5 million civilian employees across 15 pay grades and 10 step increments, with locality pay adjustments that can increase base salary by 16% to 49% depending on location. A GS-12, Step 5 employee in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington locality area earns $99,069 in 2026, while the same grade and step in a Rest of U.S. locality earns $83,854 — a $15,215 difference solely from geography. According to the Office of Personnel Management, the 2026 GS pay tables represent a 2.0% overall average increase over 2025 with locality pay adjustments varying by area. Federal employees navigating job offers, promotions, step increases, or relocation decisions need accurate salary figures across all relevant variables before making decisions that affect years of earning history. This calculator computes current 2026 GS salary for any grade, step, and locality combination and projects advancement timelines and salary growth through in-grade step increases.
What This Calculator Does
This calculator provides the exact 2026 annual GS base salary for any combination of grade (GS-1 through GS-15), step (1 through 10), and locality pay area. It also projects the timeline and salary for future step increases based on the waiting period rules (Steps 1-3: 1 year, Steps 4-6: 2 years, Steps 7-9: 3 years), calculates the total salary growth path through Grade 15 Step 10, and compares salary differences between locality areas for employees considering relocation.
The Formula
OPM publishes annual GS base pay tables that list the salary for each of the 150 grade-step combinations (15 grades × 10 steps). Locality pay is added as a percentage of the base salary, varying by geographic area from 16.5% (Rest of U.S.) to 49.0% (San Francisco). Total pay equals base pay multiplied by (1 plus locality rate). Step increases happen automatically at time-in-step thresholds if performance is at least Fully Successful. Employees are placed at the grade and step that provides at least a 2-pay-period pay increase upon promotion, which determines the initial step at a higher grade.
Step-by-Step Example
Look up base pay for grade and step
Example: GS-11, Step 4 in 2026. GS-11 Step 4 base pay (Rest of U.S. table): $68,405/year. This is the statutory base before any locality adjustment.
Apply locality pay rate
Employee is in the Denver-Aurora locality area: 2026 locality rate = 28.92%. Locality-adjusted salary: $68,405 × 1.2892 = $88,172/year. Bi-weekly gross: $3,391. Compare to Washington DC area at 33.26%: $91,143/year.
Calculate time to next step increase
Step 4 to Step 5 requires 2 years of Fully Successful performance. If the last step increase was April 2025, next increase is April 2027. Step 5 base pay: $71,012 × 1.2892 = $91,534/year — an increase of $3,362/year.
Project career step timeline
From GS-11 Step 4, reaching Step 10 takes: Steps 4→5 (2 yrs), 5→6 (2 yrs), 6→7 (2 yrs), 7→8 (3 yrs), 8→9 (3 yrs), 9→10 (3 yrs) = 15 years. GS-11 Step 10 in Denver: $104,752/year. If promoted to GS-12 before Step 10, the promotion step placement will likely enter at Step 1 or the step giving at least a 2-period increase.
Real-World Use Cases
Federal Job Offer Evaluation
A candidate with 4 years of private sector experience receives a GS-12 offer. The HR specialist offers Grade 12, Step 1. The candidate uses the calculator to determine they qualify for GS-12 Step 5 based on their $95,000 current salary matching the two-step advance rule in their locality, potentially gaining $8,000/year more than the initial offer. They submit a Highest Previous Rate request with documentation.
Relocation Decision Analysis
A GS-13 employee in Kansas City (locality rate: 18.36%) considers a transfer to San Jose, California (San Jose-San Francisco locality: 44.15%). Current salary: GS-13 Step 6 = $88,264/year. San Jose equivalent: $104,765/year — an $16,501/year difference, partially offset by California cost of living but representing a 18.7% salary increase that affects their High-3 FERS average if they stay 3 years.
Special Pay Rate Comparison for STEM Positions
A federal agency is recruiting for a cybersecurity specialist position and considering whether to hire under GS or request use of the Special Salary Rate table (SSR), which provides above-GS pay for hard-to-fill STEM positions. The calculator shows GS-13 Step 10 in the locality: $118,455. The SSR for this occupational series provides up to $135,000 at comparable grade. The agency uses this to justify the SSR request to OPM.
Comparison
| Locality Area | 2026 Locality Rate | GS-12 Step 5 Annual | GS-13 Step 1 Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington | 33.26% | $107,901 | $93,543 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | 44.15% | $116,819 | $101,299 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 36.16% | $110,237 | $95,569 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 30.74% | $105,856 | $91,772 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood | 28.92% | $104,378 | $90,491 |
| Rest of U.S. | 16.82% | $94,076 | $81,566 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing GS base pay with locality-adjusted pay. When comparing federal jobs across cities, always use locality-adjusted salaries. A GS-12 Step 5 in a rural Rest of U.S. location pays $94,076 while the same position in San Francisco pays $116,819. Using base pay for comparisons produces a 24% error in this case.
Misunderstanding the two-step advance promotion rule. When promoted, OPM policy allows placement at the lowest step of the new grade that provides a pay increase of at least two steps above the previous grade's step. New federal employees often accept Step 1 without realizing they can request higher steps based on prior salary, prior federal service, or documented special qualifications.
Not tracking the waiting period for step increases. Step increases require time-in-grade at Fully Successful or better performance ratings. Employees who did not receive a satisfactory rating in any year have that time excluded. An employee who had one Minimally Successful year during a 3-step waiting period effectively delays that step increase by one year, sometimes without being aware of it.
Calculating overtime using the GS annual salary directly. Federal overtime for GS employees is calculated on biweekly salary capped at GS-10 Step 1, regardless of actual grade, unless the employee is a law enforcement officer or firefighter under special schedules. High-grade employees receive overtime pay at a rate that may be lower than their actual hourly rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the GS pay scale change?
GS pay scales are updated annually, typically effective the first pay period of each calendar year. Changes include a general schedule pay increase (set by executive order, typically 2% to 4%) and locality pay adjustments that may vary by area. OPM publishes the new pay tables each December for the upcoming year. Employees receive the increase automatically without needing to submit any request.
What is the difference between base pay and basic pay in the GS system?
GS base pay refers to the statutory salary from the GS pay tables before locality adjustment. Basic pay includes the locality adjustment and is what is used to calculate FERS retirement contributions, TSP contributions, and life insurance premiums. When OPM refers to 'basic pay' in benefits calculations, it means the locality-adjusted figure, not the pre-locality base.
Can GS employees receive a within-grade increase denied appeal?
Yes. If an agency withholds a within-grade increase (WIGI) due to performance, the employee has the right to request reconsideration within 15 calendar days of notification. If the agency denies reconsideration, the employee may appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The WIGI may not be withheld solely on the basis of a summary rating below Fully Successful without documented performance standards.
How does a GS pay grade compare to Senior Executive Service (SES)?
GS grades run from GS-1 through GS-15, with GS-15 Step 10 being the maximum GS salary ($195,200 in 2026 in high-cost areas). Above GS-15 is the Senior Executive Service (SES) with pay capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($205,700) unless the agency has a certified SES performance appraisal system, which allows pay up to Level II ($225,700). SES is competitive and performance-based rather than step-based.
Accuracy and Disclaimer
This calculator uses 2026 GS pay tables and locality pay rates from OPM. Pay rates are subject to annual adjustment by executive order and congressional appropriation. Actual salary figures for specific positions depend on official OPM pay tables, which should be verified at OPM.gov before making employment decisions. This calculator does not account for special salary rates, law enforcement officer adjustments, or position-specific premium pay. For official salary information, consult OPM or your agency's HR office.
Conclusion
GS pay scale calculations are straightforward once you know your grade, step, and locality — but the locality pay differential and step increase timeline dramatically change the total compensation picture over a career. After calculating your GS salary, use the FERS Retirement Calculator to see how your High-3 salary builds toward your annuity, and the Take-Home Pay Calculator to estimate net pay after federal taxes, FICA, and FEHB premium deductions.
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