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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$44,959 GS-6 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2025)
$58,445 GS-6 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2025)
+$6,552 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $44,959 $1,729.19 $21.54 +$6,552
Step 2 $46,458 $1,786.85 $22.26 +$6,771
Step 3 $47,956 $1,844.46 $22.98 +$6,989
Step 4 $49,454 $1,902.08 $23.70 +$7,207
Step 5 $50,953 $1,959.73 $24.41 +$7,426
Step 6 $52,451 $2,017.35 $25.13 +$7,644
Step 7 $53,949 $2,074.96 $25.85 +$7,862
Step 8 $55,448 $2,132.62 $26.57 +$8,081
Step 9 $56,946 $2,190.23 $27.29 +$8,299
Step 10 $58,445 $2,247.88 $28.00 +$8,518
← 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 $38,407
  • Rest of U.S. GS-6 Step 1 $44,959
  • Locality add-on +$6,552
  • Adjustment percent 17.06%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $49,927
  • Rest of U.S. GS-6 Step 10 $58,445

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 2025, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% 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 $1,729 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,248. 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-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 2025, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $44,959 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,445. This is 17.06% 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 2025, it is 17.06%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,552 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 $1,729 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.