General Schedule · Civilian Federal Pay
GS Pay Calculator 2026
How this works
Salary: base rate × (1 + locality %), capped at Executive Level IV. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087.
Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), 2026 GS salary tables.
Veteran add-ons (leave credit, FERS buy-back) are computed separately and never change the published GS rate.
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What this covers. GS base rates and locality percentages are copied verbatim from the 2026 OPM salary tables. The veteran figures are planning estimates: actual annual-leave service credit depends on your leave Service Computation Date, and a FERS military deposit generally requires waiving military retired pay (with narrow war/campaign and combat-disability exceptions). Confirm specifics with your HR and finance office. Sources: OPM 2026 General Schedule, OPM annual-leave fact sheet (5 U.S.C. 6303), and DFAS military service deposits (5 U.S.C. 8411).
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions from service members and veterans. Your exact number comes from the calculator above; every answer cites the official source.
How is a GS salary calculated, and does locality pay stack on top of the base rate?⌄
Your salary is the base General Schedule rate for your grade and step, multiplied by your locality pay area's percentage, capped at the Executive Level IV limit. Locality is applied on top of base, so the same GS-9 Step 1 is paid more in San Francisco than in the catch-all 'Rest of US' area. Hourly pay is the annual figure divided by 2,087. Pick your grade, step, and locality in the calculator for the exact 2026 number.
Source: OPM.gov 2026 General Schedule + locality tables
What does my military service actually add to a GS job?⌄
Three things, and none of them changes the published GS rate. Veterans' preference (5 or 10 points) governs who gets hired. Annual-leave service credit can count your military years toward your leave Service Computation Date, accruing leave faster (worth real money per year). And the FERS military deposit lets you buy your service years back toward the pension. The calculator stacks the leave-credit and buy-back dollar value on top of the salary so you can see the full package.
Source: OPM.gov veterans' preference + annual leave (5 U.S.C. 6303)
Can I keep my military retired pay and still buy the time back for FERS?⌄
Usually not at the same time. For both the FERS military deposit and the faster annual-leave accrual, a military retiree generally must waive military retired pay to have those years credited, unless the service was during a war or campaign with a badge, or the retirement is combat-related (Chapter 61 or reserve retired pay before age 60). Run the numbers with your HR and finance office before electing, because waiving retired pay is a permanent trade-off.
Source: DFAS military service deposits (5 U.S.C. 8411) / OPM.gov