GS-12 pay scale 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
GS-12 base pay in 2026 runs from $76,463 (step 1) to $99,404 (step 10), before locality pay. The 2026 increase was 1%.
| Locality | Step 1 | Step 4 | Step 7 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of U.S. | $89,508 | $98,459 | $107,411 | $116,362 |
| Atlanta–Athens-Clarke County–Sandy Springs | $94,654 | $104,120 | $113,586 | $123,052 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence | $101,375 | $111,513 | $121,651 | $131,790 |
| Chicago-Naperville | $100,059 | $110,066 | $120,073 | $130,080 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $97,307 | $107,038 | $116,770 | $126,502 |
| Denver-Aurora | $99,800 | $109,780 | $119,761 | $129,742 |
| Houston-The Woodlands | $103,225 | $113,549 | $123,872 | $134,195 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach | $104,349 | $114,785 | $125,221 | $135,657 |
| New York-Newark | $105,481 | $116,030 | $126,579 | $137,128 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $102,246 | $112,472 | $122,697 | $132,923 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland | $111,896 | $123,087 | $134,277 | $145,468 |
| Seattle-Tacoma | $100,602 | $110,664 | $120,725 | $130,786 |
| Washington, DC | $102,415 | $112,657 | $122,899 | $133,142 |
- Biweekly (26 pay periods)
- $3,939.04
- Monthly
- $8,534.58
- Hourly (2,087 hours)
- $49.07
- Overtime hourly (1.5×, capped for higher grades)
- $73.61
- Est. biweekly take-home (single, no TSP/FEHB)
- $2,915.55
2026 OPM tables: base schedule +1.0%, locality percentages unchanged from 2025. Take-home excludes FERS (0.8%–4.4%), TSP and FEHB deductions.
Other grades
GS-1 · GS-2 · GS-3 · GS-4 · GS-5 · GS-6 · GS-7 · GS-8 · GS-9 · GS-10 · GS-11 · GS-13 · GS-14 · GS-15
Frequently asked questions
How much does a GS-12 make in 2026?
$76,463 to $99,404 on the base schedule, plus locality pay from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to over 45% in San Jose–San Francisco.
How long between GS-12 steps?
Steps 1–4: one year each; steps 4–7: two years each; steps 7–10: three years each, assuming acceptable performance.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.