Official 2026 GS Pay Scale
Explore the official 2026 GS pay scale for federal employees across all grades and steps. Our comprehensive tables provide verified OPM salary data, including locality adjustments for every official pay area in the United States.
Rest of United States
Standard rate for all counties not specifically listed in a high-pay locality area.
Explore 2026 Pay Scales by State
Select your state to view official 2026 General Schedule (GS) salary tables with local cost-of-living adjustments.
Official Grade & Step Schedules
| Grade | Step 1 (Min) | Step 5 (Mid) | Step 10 (Max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-7 | $52,800+ | $60,100+ | $68,600+ |
| GS-9 | $64,600+ | $73,200+ | $84,000+ |
| GS-13 | $117,100+ | $132,700+ | $152,200+ |
| GS-15 | $163,300+ | $185,100+ | $212,300+ |
GS Pay Scale 2026 Guide for Federal and Civilian Employees
The General Schedule (GS) determines pay for the majority of federal professional and administrative workers across the United States. In 2026, pay is adjusted according to OPM standards to account for the yearly cost of labor and inflationary changes.
The 2026 General Schedule (GS) pay system is the standard way the US federal government determines salaries for professional, administrative, and technical employees. In your area, your final pay is a combination of the base salary and a locality adjustment designed to offset cost of living differences.
Federal employees in this area receive salary rates adjusted for the local labor market. These adjustments are verified annually by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Factors influencing these rates include local private sector pay comparisons and economic parity across different US regions.
Next Step: Need to estimate your take home pay after taxes? Use our Official 2026 GS Pay Calculator for precise results.