GS Pay Calculator 2026 2026 — Free Online Tool
2026 OPM GS Pay & Take-Home
A GS-12 Step 1 federal employee in Washington DC earns $74,441 base + 33.94% locality = $99,708 gross in 2026. After federal tax (~22%), FICA (7.65%), FERS (4.4%) and TSP (5%), monthly take-home is approximately $5,600–$6,200 depending on filing status.
The GS Pay Calculator uses the 2026 OPM General Schedule pay tables to compute your total gross annual salary including locality pay adjustments, then subtracts federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), FERS retirement contributions, and TSP deductions to show your exact monthly and annual take-home pay. It also estimates your FERS pension benefit based on your years of service and High-3 average salary.
Select GS Grade & Locality
GS Pay Calculator 2026 — Federal Locality Pay & Take-Home
A GS-12 Step 1 earns $74,441 base in 2026; with Washington DC locality pay (33.94%) that becomes about $99,708. This calculator adds locality pay, then subtracts federal tax, FICA, FERS and TSP to show your real monthly take-home.
2026 GS Base Pay Table (GS-1 to GS-15)
Standard national base salaries before locality adjustments:
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-7 | $41,967 | $47,563 | $54,558 |
| GS-9 | $51,332 | $58,176 | $66,731 |
| GS-11 | $62,107 | $70,387 | $80,737 |
| GS-12 | $74,441 | $84,367 | $96,770 |
| GS-13 | $88,520 | $100,324 | $115,079 |
| GS-14 | $104,604 | $118,552 | $135,987 |
| GS-15 | $123,041 | $139,445 | $159,950 |
How GS locality pay works
Locality pay is a percentage added on top of your GS base salary across 58 OPM duty station areas. Rest of U.S. receives the baseline locality rate (~17.06%), while high cost-of-living metropolitan areas like San Francisco-San Jose (~46%) or Washington DC (~33.94%) receive higher adjustments to maintain regional purchasing power.
FERS retirement pension formula
Federal FERS pension benefits are computed as:
The General Schedule (GS) is the pay system covering roughly 1.5 million U.S. federal white-collar employees. It has 15 grades (GS-1 to GS-15), each with 10 steps. Total pay = base pay (set nationally by OPM) + locality pay (a percentage set for 58 locality areas). In 2026 locality rates run from about 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to about 46% (San Francisco-San Jose). Take-home pay is gross pay minus: federal income tax (10-37% marginal), FICA at 7.65%, FERS retirement contribution (0.8%, 3.1% or 4.4% depending on hire date), TSP contributions (5% recommended to get the full agency match), FEHB health premiums, and state income tax where applicable. FERS pension formula: High-3 average salary x years of creditable service x 1.0% (or 1.1% if retiring at age 62+ with 20+ years of service). This calculator applies the current OPM base tables, the correct locality percentage for the selected duty station, 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA, FERS and TSP deductions, and returns gross annual pay, net annual pay, monthly take-home pay, and an estimated FERS pension in a single calculation.
Frequently asked questions
How to calculate federal retirement pension?
To calculate federal retirement under FERS, use the standard pension formula: multiply your High-3 average salary by your total years of service, and then multiply by 1.0% (or 1.1% if you retire at age 62 or later with 20 or more years of service). Use our online calculator to figure FERS retirement estimates instantly.
How does federal retirement (FERS) work?
Federal retirement under FERS is a three-tiered retirement system: a FERS basic pension annuity, Social Security benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching. You receive monthly payments from the pension and Social Security, plus withdrawals from your TSP.
Do federal employees pay into Social Security?
Yes. Federal employees under FERS pay into Social Security (6.2% FICA tax up to the annual limit). Consequently, federal employees get a pension and Social Security benefits upon retirement, along with their TSP savings.
Is federal retirement taxable?
Yes. Your FERS pension annuity is taxable as ordinary income at the federal level. A small portion representing your own post-tax contributions is tax-exempt. State taxation rules vary; some states exempt federal pensions entirely, while others tax them.
Can I retire after 5 years of federal service?
Yes. You qualify for a deferred FERS pension once you complete 5 years of creditable federal service. You can begin receiving unreduced monthly retirement benefits upon reaching age 62.
How do I calculate my GS pay?
Find your GS grade and step in the OPM base pay table, then multiply that base salary by your locality pay percentage. For example, a GS-12 Step 1 base of $74,441 in the Washington DC locality (33.94%) becomes about $99,708 per year before taxes.
How is GS locality pay calculated?
Locality pay is a percentage added on top of your GS base salary, set each year by OPM for 58 pay areas. Multiply base pay by the locality rate and add it to base pay. Rest of U.S. is the lowest rate; San Francisco is the highest.
What is my GS take-home pay after taxes?
Subtract federal income tax, FICA at 7.65 percent, FERS contribution of 0.8 to 4.4 percent, TSP contributions, FEHB premiums and state tax from your locality-adjusted salary. Take-home is typically 68 to 75 percent of gross pay.
How much is a GS-12 salary in 2026?
A GS-12 Step 1 earns roughly $74,441 base in 2026, rising to about $96,770 at Step 10. With locality pay the real figure ranges from about $89,000 in Rest of U.S. to over $115,000 in San Francisco or Washington DC.
How many steps are in each GS grade?
Each GS grade has 10 steps. Steps 1 to 3 advance after one year, steps 4 to 6 after two years, and steps 7 to 9 after three years of satisfactory service. Each step is worth roughly 3 percent more pay.
Do GS employees get a raise every year?
Yes. Congress and the President set an annual across-the-board federal pay adjustment, usually between 1 and 5 percent, effective the first pay period of January. Step increases and promotions are separate and add on top of that raise.
Is GS pay the same in every state?
No. Base pay is identical nationwide, but locality pay varies by duty station across 58 areas. The same GS-13 can earn over $25,000 more per year in San Francisco than in a Rest of U.S. location.
How to Use This Tool
- Select your GS Grade (1–15) and Step (1–10) from the dropdowns.
- Choose your duty station locality area from the 58 OPM locality areas.
- Enter your filing status, TSP contribution percentage, and years of federal service.
- View your gross annual salary, locality-adjusted pay, and monthly net take-home.
- Check your estimated FERS retirement pension based on your High-3 average.
Formula & Specifications
Gross = Base Pay × (1 + Locality Rate). Net = Gross − Federal Tax − FICA − FERS − TSP. FERS Pension = High-3 × Years × 1.0% (or 1.1% if age 62+ with 20+ yrs).
About GS Pay Calculator 2026
The GS Pay Calculator uses the 2026 OPM General Schedule pay tables to compute your total gross annual salary including locality pay adjustments, then subtracts federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), FERS retirement contributions, and TSP deductions to show your exact monthly and annual take-home pay. It also estimates your FERS pension benefit based on your years of service and High-3 average salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GS pay?
GS (General Schedule) is the primary pay scale for federal civilian employees, covering GS-1 through GS-15 with 10 steps each. Base pay is set nationally and increased by locality pay for each of 58 OPM duty station areas.
How is locality pay calculated?
Locality pay is a percentage added on top of your GS base salary. For 2026, it ranges from 17.06% (Rest of US) to 46.12% (San Jose-San Francisco). It is computed as: Total Pay = Base × (1 + Locality Rate).
What is the FERS pension formula?
FERS pension = High-3 Average Salary × Years of Service × 1.0%. If you retire at age 62 or older with 20+ years, the multiplier increases to 1.1%.
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Expert Note
This tool uses the latest international formulas and rates. Results are for estimation purposes. For legal or financial decisions, consult a qualified professional. Built and maintained by the PakDigitalz team.
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