GS Pay Calculator
How This Calculator Works
Total Annual Pay = Base Pay x (1 + Locality Rate)
Biweekly Pay = Total Annual Pay / 26
Monthly Pay = Total Annual Pay / 12
Hourly Rate = Total Annual Pay / 2,087
Where:
Base Pay = GS base pay table value for selected grade and step
Locality Rate = Percentage adjustment for duty station area
2,087 = OPM standard work hours per yearThe General Schedule (GS) pay system covers the majority of white-collar federal civilian employees in the United States. This calculator uses the official 2025 GS base pay table published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to compute your total compensation, including locality pay adjustments for the top 20 metropolitan areas.
Understanding the GS Pay Structure
The GS pay scale is organized into 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15), each with 10 within-grade steps. Your grade is determined by the complexity, responsibility, and qualifications required for your position. Your step reflects your tenure and performance within that grade. New employees typically start at Step 1, with step increases occurring on a set schedule: Steps 1-3 increase annually, Steps 4-6 increase every two years, and Steps 7-9 increase every three years.
The base pay table sets the nationwide floor for each grade and step combination. However, because the cost of living varies dramatically across the country, the federal government applies locality pay adjustments to ensure competitive compensation in higher-cost areas.
How Locality Pay Works
Locality pay is an additional percentage applied on top of your base pay, determined by your duty station's geographic area. The Federal Salary Council annually recommends locality pay rates based on Bureau of Labor Statistics survey data comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. For 2025, locality rates range from 17.06% for the "Rest of US" (areas not covered by a specific locality) up to 46.91% in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Your total annual pay is calculated as: Base Pay x (1 + Locality Rate). For example, a GS-12, Step 1 employee in Washington, DC earns a base pay of $74,441 plus a 33.94% locality adjustment of $25,263, for a total of $99,704 per year.
Understanding Pay Periods
Federal employees are paid biweekly (every two weeks), resulting in 26 pay periods per year. The biweekly gross pay is your annual salary divided by 26. The hourly rate is computed using OPM's standard 2,087 work hours per year (the average number of work hours in a year accounting for leap years over a 28-year cycle). Monthly pay is simply the annual salary divided by 12.
Using This Calculator
Select your GS grade, step, and locality pay area from the dropdowns. The calculator instantly shows your base pay, locality adjustment, total annual pay, and all derived pay period amounts. The bar chart visualizes all 10 steps for your selected grade, stacked to show the base pay and locality adjustment portions, so you can see how your pay will grow as you advance through the steps.
Beyond Basic Pay
Keep in mind that your total federal compensation includes more than just your GS salary. Federal employees receive generous benefits including the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching, life insurance (FEGLI), paid holidays (11 per year), and accrued annual and sick leave. These benefits are estimated to add 30-40% to the value of your base compensation package.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What You Should Know
Understanding Federal GS Pay
The General Schedule is the largest federal pay system, covering approximately 1.5 million employees across dozens of agencies. If you are considering a career in federal service, are a current federal employee evaluating your compensation, or are a human resources professional setting pay rates, understanding how the GS system works is essential.
GS Pay Competitiveness
Federal pay is often compared to private-sector compensation, and the picture is nuanced. According to the Federal Salary Council, federal employees earn an average of 22-27% less than their private-sector counterparts based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics pay surveys. However, when total compensation is considered — including the FERS pension, TSP matching, generous health benefits, job security, and paid leave — the gap narrows considerably. For many positions, especially at GS-12 and below, total federal compensation is competitive with or exceeds comparable private-sector packages.
Career Progression Strategies
The fastest way to increase your GS pay is through grade promotions, not step increases. Many career tracks have "ladder" positions (such as GS-5/7/9/11 or GS-9/11/12) where promotions occur annually with satisfactory performance. Once you reach the full performance level of your position, further advancement typically requires competing for higher-graded positions or moving into supervisory roles.
Geographic mobility can also significantly affect your compensation. A GS-13, Step 5 employee earns approximately $117,000 in the "Rest of US" locality area, but the same position in San Francisco pays over $147,000. If cost of living in the higher-locality area is manageable, the increased pay can substantially boost your savings and retirement contributions.