2026 GS Pay Calculator
The General Schedule (GS) pay scale is the foundation of federal compensation. Whether you're a new hire or a long time civil servant, our 2026 GS salary calculator and pay tool helps you see exactly how your grade, step, and locality affect your federal salary.
analytics Detailed 2026 Pay Analysis
The nationwide standard for your grade and step before adjustments.
The additional cost of labor bonus added to your base pay for this region.
The maximum salary achievable at Step 10 for your selection.
Understanding the 2026 GS Pay Scale
Most white-collar federal employees are paid under the General Schedule (GS). This system is designed to provide equal pay for substantially equal work across different agencies across the country.
Geography plays a massive role in your total compensation. For example, a GS-9 working in Washington, D.C. can earn over 30% more than a GS-9 in a rural "Rest of U.S." area due to locality adjustments.
- Base Pay: This is the standard rate for your grade and step, regardless of where you live.
- Locality Pay: Extra compensation provided to cover higher costs of living in specific geographic areas. For 2026, there are 57 identified locality areas.
- Within Grade Increases (Steps): Each grade has 10 steps. You move up based on performance and time in service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GS salary calculated?
Your total salary is calculated by taking the Base Pay for your Grade/Step and adding the Locality Adjustment percentage for your region. Our tool handles this math for you automatically using the latest OPM style data.
What does "Rest of U.S." mean?
If your county is not part of one of the 56 specific metropolitan locality areas, you fall under the "Rest of U.S." (RUS) category. This is the baseline locality rate for the majority of the country.
What is the 2026 pay increase?
Federal pay increases are typically finalized by executive order in late December. Current 2026 estimates in this tool are based on projected cost of living adjustments commonly discussed in budget proposals.
What is the 2087 factor?
When converting annual salary to hourly rates, the government uses 2,087 work hours per year. This accounts for leap years and the varying number of workdays across different years.
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