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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$24,773 GS-2 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2019)
$31,175 GS-2 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2019)
+$3,356 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-2 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 15.67% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $24,773 $952.81 $11.87 +$3,356
Step 2 $25,363 $975.50 $12.15 +$3,436
Step 3 $26,183 $1,007.04 $12.55 +$3,547
Step 4 $26,877 $1,033.73 $12.88 +$3,641
Step 5 $27,179 $1,045.35 $13.02 +$3,682
Step 6 $27,978 $1,076.08 $13.41 +$3,790
Step 7 $28,778 $1,106.85 $13.79 +$3,899
Step 8 $29,577 $1,137.58 $14.17 +$4,007
Step 9 $30,376 $1,168.31 $14.55 +$4,115
Step 10 $31,175 $1,199.04 $14.94 +$4,223
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $21,417
  • Rest of U.S. GS-2 Step 1 $24,773
  • Locality add-on +$3,356
  • Adjustment percent 15.67%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $26,952
  • Rest of U.S. GS-2 Step 10 $31,175

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-2 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2019, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 15.67% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $953 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,199. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-2 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-2 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2019, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $24,773 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $31,175. This is 15.67% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 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 2019, it is 15.67%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $3,356 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $953 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.