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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$26,175 GS-1 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2025)
$32,742 GS-1 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2025)
+$3,815 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-1 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 17.06% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $26,175 $1,006.73 $12.54 +$3,815
Step 2 $27,053 $1,040.50 $12.96 +$3,943
Step 3 $27,922 $1,073.92 $13.38 +$4,069
Step 4 $28,790 $1,107.31 $13.79 +$4,196
Step 5 $29,658 $1,140.69 $14.21 +$4,322
Step 6 $30,166 $1,160.23 $14.45 +$4,396
Step 7 $31,028 $1,193.38 $14.87 +$4,522
Step 8 $31,895 $1,226.73 $15.28 +$4,648
Step 9 $31,930 $1,228.08 $15.30 +$4,653
Step 10 $32,742 $1,259.31 $15.69 +$4,772
Calculate my take-home GS-2 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $22,360
  • Rest of U.S. GS-1 Step 1 $26,175
  • Locality add-on +$3,815
  • Adjustment percent 17.06%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $27,970
  • Rest of U.S. GS-1 Step 10 $32,742

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-1 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2025, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,007 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,259. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-1 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2025, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $26,175 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $32,742. This is 17.06% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 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 2025, it is 17.06%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $3,815 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,007 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.