2026 GS-3 Pay by Locality Pay Area
GS-3 base pay runs from $27,708 at step 1 to $36,024 at step 10 in OPM's 2026 tables, effective January 2026. Each locality pay area adds its locality pay to those amounts.
GS-3 annual pay in each locality pay area
| Locality pay area | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA46.34% locality pay | $40,548 | $41,900 | $43,252 | $44,604 | $45,957 | $47,309 | $48,661 | $50,013 | $51,365 | $52,718 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA37.95% locality pay | $38,223 | $39,498 | $40,773 | $42,047 | $43,322 | $44,596 | $45,871 | $47,146 | $48,420 | $49,695 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA36.47% locality pay | $37,813 | $39,074 | $40,335 | $41,596 | $42,857 | $44,118 | $45,379 | $46,640 | $47,901 | $49,162 |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX35.00% locality pay | $37,406 | $38,653 | $39,901 | $41,148 | $42,395 | $43,643 | $44,890 | $46,138 | $47,385 | $48,632 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA33.94% locality pay | $37,112 | $38,350 | $39,587 | $40,825 | $42,063 | $43,300 | $44,538 | $45,775 | $47,013 | $48,251 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA33.72% locality pay | $37,051 | $38,287 | $39,522 | $40,758 | $41,993 | $43,229 | $44,465 | $45,700 | $46,936 | $48,171 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT32.58% locality pay | $36,735 | $37,960 | $39,185 | $40,410 | $41,635 | $42,860 | $44,086 | $45,311 | $46,536 | $47,761 |
| State of Alaska32.36% locality pay | $36,674 | $37,897 | $39,120 | $40,343 | $41,566 | $42,789 | $44,012 | $45,235 | $46,458 | $47,681 |
| Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA32.08% locality pay | $36,597 | $37,817 | $39,038 | $40,258 | $41,478 | $42,699 | $43,919 | $45,140 | $46,360 | $47,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA31.57% locality pay | $36,455 | $37,671 | $38,887 | $40,103 | $41,318 | $42,534 | $43,750 | $44,965 | $46,181 | $47,397 |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI30.86% locality pay | $36,259 | $37,468 | $38,677 | $39,886 | $41,095 | $42,304 | $43,514 | $44,723 | $45,932 | $47,141 |
| Denver-Aurora, CO30.52% locality pay | $36,164 | $37,370 | $38,576 | $39,782 | $40,989 | $42,195 | $43,401 | $44,607 | $45,813 | $47,019 |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV29.76% locality pay | $35,954 | $37,153 | $38,352 | $39,551 | $40,750 | $41,949 | $43,148 | $44,347 | $45,546 | $46,745 |
| Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI29.12% locality pay | $35,777 | $36,970 | $38,163 | $39,356 | $40,549 | $41,742 | $42,935 | $44,128 | $45,321 | $46,514 |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD28.99% locality pay | $35,741 | $36,932 | $38,124 | $39,316 | $40,508 | $41,700 | $42,892 | $44,084 | $45,275 | $46,467 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI27.62% locality pay | $35,361 | $36,540 | $37,719 | $38,899 | $40,078 | $41,257 | $42,436 | $43,615 | $44,795 | $45,974 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK27.26% locality pay | $35,261 | $36,437 | $37,613 | $38,789 | $39,965 | $41,141 | $42,316 | $43,492 | $44,668 | $45,844 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA26.13% locality pay | $34,948 | $36,114 | $37,279 | $38,444 | $39,610 | $40,775 | $41,941 | $43,106 | $44,272 | $45,437 |
| Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL24.67% locality pay | $34,544 | $35,696 | $36,847 | $37,999 | $39,151 | $40,303 | $41,455 | $42,607 | $43,759 | $44,911 |
| Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL23.79% locality pay | $34,300 | $35,444 | $36,587 | $37,731 | $38,875 | $40,019 | $41,163 | $42,306 | $43,450 | $44,594 |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ22.45% locality pay | $33,928 | $35,060 | $36,191 | $37,323 | $38,454 | $39,586 | $40,717 | $41,849 | $42,980 | $44,111 |
| Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI22.42% locality pay | $33,920 | $35,051 | $36,182 | $37,314 | $38,445 | $39,576 | $40,707 | $41,838 | $42,969 | $44,101 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY22.41% locality pay | $33,917 | $35,048 | $36,179 | $37,311 | $38,442 | $39,573 | $40,704 | $41,835 | $42,966 | $44,097 |
| Richmond, VA22.28% locality pay | $33,881 | $35,011 | $36,141 | $37,271 | $38,401 | $39,531 | $40,661 | $41,790 | $42,920 | $44,050 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC22.24% locality pay | $33,870 | $35,000 | $36,129 | $37,259 | $38,388 | $39,518 | $40,647 | $41,777 | $42,906 | $44,036 |
| Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA22.23% locality pay | $33,867 | $34,997 | $36,126 | $37,256 | $38,385 | $39,515 | $40,644 | $41,773 | $42,903 | $44,032 |
| State of Hawaii22.21% locality pay | $33,862 | $34,991 | $36,120 | $37,250 | $38,379 | $39,508 | $40,637 | $41,766 | $42,896 | $44,025 |
| Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH22.15% locality pay | $33,845 | $34,974 | $36,103 | $37,231 | $38,360 | $39,489 | $40,617 | $41,746 | $42,875 | $44,003 |
| Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN21.93% locality pay | $33,784 | $34,911 | $36,038 | $37,164 | $38,291 | $39,418 | $40,544 | $41,671 | $42,797 | $43,924 |
| Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN21.91% locality pay | $33,779 | $34,905 | $36,032 | $37,158 | $38,285 | $39,411 | $40,538 | $41,664 | $42,790 | $43,917 |
| Laredo, TX21.59% locality pay | $33,690 | $34,814 | $35,937 | $37,061 | $38,184 | $39,308 | $40,431 | $41,555 | $42,678 | $43,802 |
| Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH21.42% locality pay | $33,643 | $34,765 | $35,887 | $37,009 | $38,131 | $39,253 | $40,375 | $41,496 | $42,618 | $43,740 |
| Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV21.03% locality pay | $33,535 | $34,653 | $35,772 | $36,890 | $38,008 | $39,127 | $40,245 | $41,363 | $42,482 | $43,600 |
| Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA20.77% locality pay | $33,463 | $34,579 | $35,695 | $36,811 | $37,927 | $39,043 | $40,158 | $41,274 | $42,390 | $43,506 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX20.35% locality pay | $33,347 | $34,459 | $35,571 | $36,683 | $37,795 | $38,907 | $40,019 | $41,131 | $42,243 | $43,355 |
| Colorado Springs, CO20.15% locality pay | $33,291 | $34,401 | $35,512 | $36,622 | $37,732 | $38,842 | $39,952 | $41,062 | $42,173 | $43,283 |
| St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL20.03% locality pay | $33,258 | $34,367 | $35,476 | $36,585 | $37,694 | $38,803 | $39,912 | $41,021 | $42,131 | $43,240 |
| Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC19.67% locality pay | $33,158 | $34,264 | $35,370 | $36,475 | $37,581 | $38,687 | $39,793 | $40,898 | $42,004 | $43,110 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ19.57% locality pay | $33,130 | $34,235 | $35,340 | $36,445 | $37,550 | $38,655 | $39,759 | $40,864 | $41,969 | $43,074 |
| Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT19.45% locality pay | $33,097 | $34,201 | $35,305 | $36,408 | $37,512 | $38,616 | $39,720 | $40,823 | $41,927 | $43,031 |
| Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA19.43% locality pay | $33,092 | $34,195 | $35,299 | $36,402 | $37,506 | $38,609 | $39,713 | $40,816 | $41,920 | $43,023 |
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ19.28% locality pay | $33,050 | $34,152 | $35,254 | $36,357 | $37,459 | $38,561 | $39,663 | $40,765 | $41,867 | $42,969 |
| Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS18.97% locality pay | $32,964 | $34,063 | $35,163 | $36,262 | $37,361 | $38,461 | $39,560 | $40,659 | $41,758 | $42,858 |
| Davenport-Moline, IA-IL18.93% locality pay | $32,953 | $34,052 | $35,151 | $36,250 | $37,349 | $38,448 | $39,547 | $40,646 | $41,744 | $42,843 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC18.80% locality pay | $32,917 | $34,015 | $35,113 | $36,210 | $37,308 | $38,406 | $39,503 | $40,601 | $41,699 | $42,797 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX18.78% locality pay | $32,912 | $34,009 | $35,107 | $36,204 | $37,302 | $38,399 | $39,497 | $40,594 | $41,692 | $42,789 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM18.33% locality pay | $32,787 | $33,880 | $34,974 | $36,067 | $37,160 | $38,254 | $39,347 | $40,440 | $41,534 | $42,627 |
| Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL18.24% locality pay | $32,762 | $33,854 | $34,947 | $36,040 | $37,132 | $38,225 | $39,317 | $40,410 | $41,502 | $42,595 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA18.23% locality pay | $32,759 | $33,852 | $34,944 | $36,037 | $37,129 | $38,221 | $39,314 | $40,406 | $41,499 | $42,591 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN18.15% locality pay | $32,737 | $33,829 | $34,920 | $36,012 | $37,104 | $38,196 | $39,287 | $40,379 | $41,471 | $42,562 |
| Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA18.01% locality pay | $32,698 | $33,789 | $34,879 | $35,969 | $37,060 | $38,150 | $39,241 | $40,331 | $41,422 | $42,512 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL17.93% locality pay | $32,676 | $33,766 | $34,855 | $35,945 | $37,035 | $38,124 | $39,214 | $40,304 | $41,393 | $42,483 |
| Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY17.88% locality pay | $32,662 | $33,751 | $34,841 | $35,930 | $37,019 | $38,108 | $39,197 | $40,287 | $41,376 | $42,465 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID17.67% locality pay | $32,604 | $33,691 | $34,779 | $35,866 | $36,953 | $38,040 | $39,128 | $40,215 | $41,302 | $42,389 |
| Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA17.65% locality pay | $32,598 | $33,686 | $34,773 | $35,860 | $36,947 | $38,034 | $39,121 | $40,208 | $41,295 | $42,382 |
| Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX17.63% locality pay | $32,593 | $33,680 | $34,767 | $35,854 | $36,941 | $38,027 | $39,114 | $40,201 | $41,288 | $42,375 |
| Reno-Fernley, NV17.52% locality pay | $32,562 | $33,648 | $34,734 | $35,820 | $36,906 | $37,992 | $39,078 | $40,164 | $41,250 | $42,335 |
| Rest of U.S.17.06% locality pay | $32,435 | $33,517 | $34,598 | $35,680 | $36,762 | $37,843 | $38,925 | $40,006 | $41,088 | $42,170 |
| Base payBefore locality pay | $27,708 | $28,632 | $29,556 | $30,480 | $31,404 | $32,328 | $33,252 | $34,176 | $35,100 | $36,024 |
Step increases in GS-3
The difference between steps can change from step to step, and it's larger in areas with higher locality pay. The table shows the base table's difference and the smallest and largest difference across the locality pay areas.
| Step | Waiting period | Base pay | Locality pay areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 to 2 | 52 weeks | +$924 | +$1,082 to +$1,352 |
| Step 2 to 3 | 52 weeks | +$924 | +$1,081 to +$1,352 |
| Step 3 to 4 | 52 weeks | +$924 | +$1,082 to +$1,352 |
| Step 4 to 5 | 104 weeks | +$924 | +$1,082 to +$1,353 |
| Step 5 to 6 | 104 weeks | +$924 | +$1,081 to +$1,352 |
| Step 6 to 7 | 104 weeks | +$924 | +$1,082 to +$1,352 |
| Step 7 to 8 | 156 weeks | +$924 | +$1,081 to +$1,352 |
| Step 8 to 9 | 156 weeks | +$924 | +$1,082 to +$1,352 |
| Step 9 to 10 | 156 weeks | +$924 | +$1,082 to +$1,353 |
Data sources
- GS locality pay tables, 58 tables, Salary Table 2026-AK through Salary Table 2026-VB, effective January 2026
- From the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): 2026 General Schedule tables. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- GS base pay table, Salary Table 2026-GS, effective January 2026
- From the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): 2026 General Schedule tables, GS.xml. Retrieved October 18, 2026.