The GS pay scale 2026 is a major topic of discussion among federal employees as the U.S. government has finalized a salary adjustment for the upcoming year. As of December 2025, federal workers under the General Schedule (GS) system are set to receive a 1% base pay increase in 2026, impacting millions of civilian employees across various departments and agencies nationwide.
The General Schedule pay system governs salaries for most white-collar federal jobs, covering grades GS-1 through GS-15. Along with base pay, locality-based adjustments play a crucial role in determining take-home salaries, especially in high-cost regions like Washington DC, San Diego, and Atlanta.
With rising living costs and inflation concerns, understanding the GS pay scale 2026 increase, locality pay structure, and salary calculation methods has become essential for both current and prospective federal employees planning their finances for the year ahead.
What Is the General Schedule (GS) Pay System?
The General Schedule is the federal government’s standardized pay system for civilian employees. It categorizes jobs into 15 grades, each with 10 steps that reflect experience, performance, and tenure.
Federal employees progress through steps over time, while grade promotions typically occur through competitive or career ladder advancement. In 2026, while the base increase remains modest, locality pay adjustments continue to provide meaningful differences in regional earnings.
GS Pay Scale 2026 Increase: What’s New This Year
The GS pay scale 2026 increase includes a 1% across-the-board base salary raise. This increase applies to all GS employees regardless of grade or location, before adding locality pay.
Key points of the 2026 increase include:
- Base pay adjustment of 1%
- No structural change to GS grades or steps
- Locality pay percentages remain region-specific
Although some employee groups expected a higher raise, the finalized adjustment ensures continued annual pay progression aligned with budget priorities.
GS Pay Scale 2026 With Locality
Locality pay adjusts federal salaries based on geographic cost-of-living differences. The GS pay scale 2026 with locality means employees in metropolitan areas earn more than the base GS rate.
Below is an example table showing estimated GS-9 Step 1 pay with locality adjustments:
| Location | Base Pay (GS-9 Step 1) | Locality % | Estimated Total Pay |
| Rest of U.S. | $57,118 | 0% | $57,118 |
| Washington DC | $57,118 | ~32% | $75,400 |
| San Diego | $57,118 | ~30% | $74,200 |
| Atlanta | $57,118 | ~23% | $70,250 |
| New York | $57,118 | ~36% | $77,680 |
| San Francisco | $57,118 | ~44% | $82,240 |
| Seattle | $57,118 | ~28% | $73,110 |
Figures are approximate and shown for understanding locality impact.
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GS Pay Scale 2026 Washington DC and Major Cities
The GS pay scale 2026 Washington DC remains among the highest due to elevated housing and living costs. Federal workers in the capital region continue to receive one of the strongest locality adjustments.
Similarly:
- GS pay scale 2026 San Diego reflects high housing expenses
- GS pay scale 2026 Atlanta offers moderate locality benefits
- GS pay scale 2026 DC remains a benchmark for federal salaries nationwide
These regional differences significantly affect real income despite identical GS grades.
GS Pay Scale 2026 Calculator and Locality Calculator
A GS pay scale 2026 calculator helps employees estimate salaries by combining:
- GS grade
- Step level
- Base pay
- Locality percentage
The GS pay scale 2026 with locality calculator is especially useful for employees considering transfers, promotions, or relocation. By inputting grade and location, workers can quickly see how geography impacts earnings.
• Calculators highlight pay differences between cities
• They assist with long-term career planning
GS Pay Scale 2026 Reddit Discussions and Employee Reactions
Online forums show mixed reactions to the 2026 increase. On GS pay scale 2026 Reddit discussions, many federal workers expressed disappointment with the 1% raise, citing inflation pressures. Others noted that consistent step increases and locality pay still provide gradual income growth.
Common discussion points include:
- Comparison with private-sector wage growth
- Impact of locality pay on affordability
- Expectations for future federal raises
How the GS Pay Scale Affects Federal Careers
The GS pay system remains predictable and transparent, which is valued by federal employees. While the GS pay scale 2026 increase is limited, long-term earnings still benefit from:
- Step advancements
- Grade promotions
- Stable locality adjustments
This structure ensures salary growth over time, even during years of modest base increases.
FAQs about GS pay scale 2026
Q1. What is the GS pay raise for 2026?
The GS pay scale 2026 includes a 1% base pay increase for federal employees.
Q2. Does locality pay change in 2026?
Locality pay percentages remain region-based and continue to apply on top of the new base pay.
Q3. Which city has the highest GS pay in 2026?
San Francisco and Washington DC are among the highest due to strong locality adjustments.
Conclusion
The GS pay scale 2026 introduces a modest but consistent salary increase for federal workers, reinforcing the stability of the General Schedule system. While the 1% base raise may feel limited amid rising costs, locality pay, step increases, and career progression continue to play a vital role in overall compensation.
Understanding how locality, calculators, and regional differences affect pay allows federal employees to plan smarter for 2026 and beyond. As discussions continue around future pay reforms, the GS system remains a cornerstone of federal workforce compensation.
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