2026 GS Pay Charts & Tables – The General Schedule (GS) pay scale is the primary compensation system for over 1.5 million federal civilian employees in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), it covers professional, technical, administrative, and clerical positions across 15 grades (GS-1 to GS-15), with 10 steps per grade.
For 2026, the GS pay scale features a 1% across-the-board increase in base pay, effective January 2026 (first pay period on or after January 1, typically January 11). Locality pay rates remain frozen at 2025 levels, resulting in an overall average increase of 1%. This adjustment was finalized by presidential executive order in December 2025.
Certain law enforcement officers (LEOs) may receive additional adjustments via special rates to align closer to the 3.8% military pay raise, addressing recruitment and retention needs. Official details are available on OPM’s website.
Key Changes for 2026 GS Pay Scale
- Base Pay Increase: 1% applied to the General Schedule base rates.
- Locality Pay: No increase; rates unchanged from 2025 (e.g., Rest of U.S. at 17.06%, Washington-Baltimore-Arlington at higher rates).
- Effective Date: First applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
- Pay Cap: Higher grades (GS-13 to GS-15) may be capped at Level IV of the Executive Schedule ($197,200 annually).
- Source: Official OPM data from opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/.
This modest raise follows a 2.0% average increase in 2025 and reflects budgetary priorities.
2026 GS Base Pay Table (Without Locality Adjustment)
The table below shows the official 2026 GS base annual rates (incorporating the 1% increase). Actual pay includes locality adjustments.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $21,714 | $22,441 | $23,160 | $23,874 | $24,592 | $25,019 | $25,731 | $26,449 | $26,476 | $27,159 |
| GS-2 | $24,417 | $25,010 | $25,818 | $26,476 | $26,784 | $27,571 | $28,358 | $29,145 | $29,932 | $30,719 |
| GS-3 | $26,648 | $27,537 | $28,426 | $29,315 | $30,204 | $31,093 | $31,982 | $32,871 | $33,760 | $34,649 |
| GS-4 | $29,911 | $30,908 | $31,905 | $32,902 | $33,899 | $34,896 | $35,893 | $36,890 | $37,887 | $38,884 |
| GS-5 | $33,465 | $34,581 | $35,697 | $36,813 | $37,929 | $39,045 | $40,161 | $41,277 | $42,393 | $43,509 |
| GS-6 | $37,319 | $38,563 | $39,807 | $41,051 | $42,295 | $43,539 | $44,783 | $46,027 | $47,271 | $48,515 |
| GS-7 | $41,492 | $42,875 | $44,258 | $45,641 | $47,024 | $48,407 | $49,790 | $51,173 | $52,556 | $53,939 |
| GS-8 | $45,982 | $47,515 | $49,048 | $50,581 | $52,114 | $53,647 | $55,180 | $56,713 | $58,246 | $59,779 |
| GS-9 | $50,821 | $52,515 | $54,209 | $55,903 | $57,597 | $59,291 | $60,985 | $62,679 | $64,373 | $66,067 |
| GS-10 | $55,993 | $57,860 | $59,727 | $61,594 | $63,461 | $65,328 | $67,195 | $69,062 | $70,929 | $72,796 |
| GS-11 | $61,523 | $63,573 | $65,623 | $67,673 | $69,723 | $71,773 | $73,823 | $75,873 | $77,923 | $79,973 |
| GS-12 | $73,732 | $76,190 | $78,648 | $81,106 | $83,564 | $86,022 | $88,480 | $90,938 | $93,396 | $95,854 |
| GS-13 | $87,754 | $90,679 | $93,604 | $96,529 | $99,454 | $102,379 | $105,304 | $108,229 | $111,154 | $114,079 |
| GS-14 | $103,691 | $107,181 | $110,671 | $114,161 | $117,651 | $121,141 | $124,631 | $128,121 | $131,611 | $135,101 |
| GS-15 | $122,038 | $126,106 | $130,174 | $134,242 | $138,310 | $142,378 | $146,446 | $150,514 | $154,582 | $158,650 |
Note: Rates rounded for display; exact figures on OPM site. Higher steps may be capped.
Locality Pay Areas for 2026
There are 54 locality pay areas (including Rest of U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and major metros). Rates are unchanged from 2025. Examples:
- Rest of U.S. (RUS): 17.06%
- Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA: ~33%
- San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA: Highest, ~45%
- Full list and tables: OPM 2026 Locality Pay Tables.
To calculate your pay: Base rate × (1 + locality percentage).
Additional Resources
- OPM GS Salary Calculator: 2026 Calculator
- Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Pay Tables: Separate higher rates for qualifying positions.
- Special Rates: May apply for hard-to-fill roles.
For the most accurate and personalized information, visit the official OPM website or consult your agency HR. Pay adjustments support federal workforce stability amid economic considerations.