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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,223 GS-6 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2018)
$48,385 GS-6 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2018)
+$4,959 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-6 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 15.37% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $37,223 $1,431.65 $17.84 +$4,959
Step 2 $38,463 $1,479.35 $18.43 +$5,124
Step 3 $39,703 $1,527.04 $19.02 +$5,289
Step 4 $40,944 $1,574.77 $19.62 +$5,455
Step 5 $42,184 $1,622.46 $20.21 +$5,620
Step 6 $43,424 $1,670.15 $20.81 +$5,785
Step 7 $44,664 $1,717.85 $21.40 +$5,950
Step 8 $45,905 $1,765.58 $22.00 +$6,116
Step 9 $47,145 $1,813.27 $22.59 +$6,281
Step 10 $48,385 $1,860.96 $23.18 +$6,446
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $32,264
  • Rest of U.S. GS-6 Step 1 $37,223
  • Locality add-on +$4,959
  • Adjustment percent 15.37%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $41,939
  • Rest of U.S. GS-6 Step 10 $48,385

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-6 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2018, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 15.37% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,432 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,861. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-6 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-6 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2018, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $37,223 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,385. This is 15.37% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2018, it is 15.37%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,959 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,432 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.