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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$42,022 GS-6 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2023)
$54,625 GS-6 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2023)
+$5,952 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-6 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 16.50% 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 $42,022 $1,616.23 $20.14 +$5,952
Step 2 $43,422 $1,670.08 $20.81 +$6,150
Step 3 $44,822 $1,723.92 $21.48 +$6,348
Step 4 $46,223 $1,777.81 $22.15 +$6,547
Step 5 $47,623 $1,831.65 $22.82 +$6,745
Step 6 $49,023 $1,885.50 $23.49 +$6,943
Step 7 $50,424 $1,939.38 $24.16 +$7,142
Step 8 $51,824 $1,993.23 $24.83 +$7,340
Step 9 $53,224 $2,047.08 $25.50 +$7,538
Step 10 $54,625 $2,100.96 $26.17 +$7,737
← 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 $36,070
  • Rest of U.S. GS-6 Step 1 $42,022
  • Locality add-on +$5,952
  • Adjustment percent 16.50%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $46,888
  • Rest of U.S. GS-6 Step 10 $54,625

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 2023, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 16.50% 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 $1,616 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,101. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 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 2023, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $42,022 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,625. This is 16.50% 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 2023, it is 16.50%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,952 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 $1,616 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.