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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$57,118 GS-9 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2023)
$74,250 GS-9 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2023)
+$8,090 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $57,118 $2,196.85 $27.37 +$8,090
Step 2 $59,021 $2,270.04 $28.28 +$8,359
Step 3 $60,925 $2,343.27 $29.19 +$8,629
Step 4 $62,828 $2,416.46 $30.10 +$8,898
Step 5 $64,732 $2,489.69 $31.02 +$9,168
Step 6 $66,636 $2,562.92 $31.93 +$9,438
Step 7 $68,539 $2,636.12 $32.84 +$9,707
Step 8 $70,443 $2,709.35 $33.75 +$9,977
Step 9 $72,347 $2,782.58 $34.67 +$10,247
Step 10 $74,250 $2,855.77 $35.58 +$10,516
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $49,028
  • Rest of U.S. GS-9 Step 1 $57,118
  • Locality add-on +$8,090
  • Adjustment percent 16.50%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $63,734
  • Rest of U.S. GS-9 Step 10 $74,250

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-9 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT 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-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-9 in Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,197 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,856. 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-9 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-9 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2023, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $57,118 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $74,250. This is 16.50% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,090 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,197 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.