GS-2 pay scale 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
GS-2 base pay in 2026 runs from $25,393 (step 1) to $31,953 (step 10), before locality pay. The 2026 increase was 1%.
| Locality | Step 1 | Step 4 | Step 7 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of U.S. | $29,725 | $32,250 | $34,528 | $37,404 |
| Atlanta–Athens-Clarke County–Sandy Springs | $31,434 | $34,104 | $36,513 | $39,555 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence | $33,666 | $36,526 | $39,106 | $42,363 |
| Chicago-Naperville | $33,229 | $36,052 | $38,598 | $41,814 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $32,315 | $35,060 | $37,537 | $40,663 |
| Denver-Aurora | $33,143 | $35,958 | $38,498 | $41,705 |
| Houston-The Woodlands | $34,281 | $37,193 | $39,820 | $43,137 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach | $34,654 | $37,597 | $40,253 | $43,606 |
| New York-Newark | $35,030 | $38,005 | $40,690 | $44,079 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $33,956 | $36,840 | $39,442 | $42,728 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland | $37,160 | $40,317 | $43,164 | $46,760 |
| Seattle-Tacoma | $33,410 | $36,248 | $38,808 | $42,041 |
| Washington, DC | $34,011 | $36,900 | $39,507 | $42,798 |
- Biweekly (26 pay periods)
- $1,308.12
- Monthly
- $2,834.25
- Hourly (2,087 hours)
- $16.30
- Overtime hourly (1.5×, capped for higher grades)
- $24.45
- Est. biweekly take-home (single, no TSP/FEHB)
- $1,091.01
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-3 · GS-4 · GS-5 · GS-6 · GS-7 · GS-8 · GS-9 · GS-10 · GS-11 · GS-12 · GS-13 · GS-14 · GS-15
Frequently asked questions
How much does a GS-2 make in 2026?
$25,393 to $31,953 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-2 steps?
Steps 1–4: one year each; steps 4–7: two years each; steps 7–10: three years each, assuming acceptable performance.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.