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2026 Federal Employee Pay Raise: GS Pay Scale, Locality Pay, and Salary Tables

Federal employees received updated General Schedule salary tables for 2026, including a 1% increase in the underlying GS rates. Actual salaries still vary by grade, step, locality area, and special-rate eligibility.

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2026 Federal Employee Pay Raise: GS Pay Scale, Locality Pay, and Salary Tables

Quick answer: The 2026 base General Schedule incorporates a 1% increase. A federal employee’s final salary depends on grade, step, locality payment, official worksite, and any higher special-rate table.

What changed for federal salaries in 2026?

Executive Order 14368, issued on December 18, 2025, established federal pay schedules effective in January 2026. The Office of Personnel Management then published the official General Schedule and locality-pay tables.

The 2026 base GS table incorporates a 1% General Schedule increase. This does not mean every employee’s final paycheck changes by exactly one percent. Locality pay, within-grade increases, promotions, special rates, retained pay, and statutory caps can change the result.

How the GS system works

The General Schedule contains 15 grades, from GS-1 through GS-15. Most grades contain 10 steps. Grade reflects the level of responsibility and qualification required, while steps generally represent progression within the grade.

2026 base salary examples

The official 2026 base table lists GS-5 Step 1 at $34,799, GS-9 Step 1 at $52,727, GS-12 Step 1 at $76,463, and GS-15 Step 10 at $164,301 before locality adjustments.

These figures are base rates, not necessarily the employee’s payable annual salary. Most employees in the United States receive locality pay or a higher applicable special rate.

How locality pay changes salary

OPM publishes separate locality tables for designated geographic labor markets. Two employees at the same grade and step can receive different annual salaries because their official worksites fall in different locality areas.

Remote and telework arrangements can affect the official-worksite analysis. Employees should use the locality assigned by their agency rather than selecting the nearest metropolitan table themselves.

Special salary rates

A special-rate table can replace the ordinary locality rate when the special rate is higher. OPM’s nationwide 001M table, for example, creates higher minimum pay for certain GS-1 through GS-4 positions whose ordinary rate would otherwise be lower.

Employees should compare the base GS table, the applicable locality table, and any occupation-specific or agency-specific special-rate table.

Federal overtime tables

OPM also publishes hourly and Title 5 overtime rates. Calculations can differ for FLSA-exempt and FLSA-nonexempt federal employees. Firefighters, law-enforcement officers, and certain other groups can be subject to specialized rules.

How to find your exact 2026 salary

  1. Identify your federal pay plan.
  2. Confirm your grade and step.
  3. Determine your official worksite and locality area.
  4. Check for a higher special-rate table.
  5. Review applicable pay caps or retained-pay rules.
  6. Use OPM’s official 2026 calculator or table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 2026 GS pay increase?

The 2026 General Schedule base rates incorporate a 1% increase.

Does locality pay come on top of the base table?

Yes. Applicable locality payments are reflected in separate official salary tables.

Why is my salary different from another employee at the same grade?

The employees may have different steps, locality areas, special rates, official worksites, or retained-pay conditions.

What is a GS step?

A step is a pay level within a GS grade. Most grades have Steps 1 through 10.

Where can I calculate my salary?

OPM provides official 2026 GS tables and a salary calculator.

Official Sources

This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal, tax, accounting, payroll, or employment advice. Rules can change and may differ by location, occupation, employer size, and employee duties.

Reviewed for accuracy by the OvertimePayUSA editorial team using official labor sources such as the U.S. Department of Labor and state agencies.
Official Sources

This calculator is for educational purposes only. Consult your employer or a labor attorney for advice specific to your situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer require me to work overtime?
Yes. Employers can require overtime work. However, they must pay the required overtime premium (1.5x or higher per state law) for hours over the threshold. Refusing to work overtime may result in termination, but employers cannot refuse to pay overtime premiums that are legally owed.
What should I do if I think I'm owed unpaid overtime?
Document everything: save pay stubs, time records, emails, and any communications about hours worked. Calculate what you believe is owed. Contact your employer in writing first. If they don't respond satisfactorily, file a complaint with your state Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Consider consulting an employment attorney for large amounts.
Is my salaried position automatically exempt from overtime?
No. Many salaried positions still qualify for overtime pay. Exemption requires: (1) earning above the minimum threshold (~$35,500 federally, varies by state), and (2) spending more than 50% of time in exempt duties (executive, professional, administrative). If unsure, file a wage claim or consult an employment attorney.
Can I get overtime pay if I work multiple jobs?
Federal overtime laws (FLSA) typically count only hours for a single employer. However, some states have more generous rules. Hours worked for different employers at the same time usually don't combine for overtime purposes unless you're an independent contractor. Check your state's Department of Labor for specific rules.
What's the statute of limitations for claiming unpaid overtime?
Federally, you have 2-3 years to file a lawsuit for unpaid wages (3 years for willful violations). State laws vary: California allows 3-4 years, New York allows 6 years. For administrative complaints, the timeframe is often shorter (1-2 years). Act quickly if you believe you're owed wages.
Do I have to be paid for meal breaks?
If you work during a meal break or cannot take a true break away from your workstation, that time must be paid. If you take an actual, uninterrupted break (usually 20+ minutes), it can be unpaid. Rules vary by state—check your state's Department of Labor for specifics.
What was the 2026 GS pay increase?
The 2026 General Schedule base rates incorporate a 1% increase.
Does locality pay come on top of the base table?
Yes. Applicable locality payments are reflected in separate official salary tables.
Why is my salary different from another employee at the same grade?
The employees may have different steps, locality areas, special rates, official worksites, or retained-pay conditions.
What is a GS step?
A step is a pay level within a GS grade. Most grades have Steps 1 through 10.
Where can I calculate my salary?
OPM provides official 2026 GS tables and a salary calculator.
⚖️ Statutory Legal Authority: Overtime pay calculations strictly follow the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. § 207 and U.S. Department of Labor (WHD) Regulations 29 C.F.R. Part 778. State daily overtime rules comply with California Labor Code § 510, Colorado COMPS Order #38, and Alaska Stat. § 23.10.060.