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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$61,111 GS-9 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2025)
$79,443 GS-9 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2025)
+$8,906 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $61,111 $2,350.42 $29.28 +$8,906
Step 2 $63,148 $2,428.77 $30.26 +$9,203
Step 3 $65,185 $2,507.12 $31.23 +$9,500
Step 4 $67,222 $2,585.46 $32.21 +$9,797
Step 5 $69,259 $2,663.81 $33.19 +$10,094
Step 6 $71,295 $2,742.12 $34.16 +$10,390
Step 7 $73,332 $2,820.46 $35.14 +$10,687
Step 8 $75,369 $2,898.81 $36.11 +$10,984
Step 9 $77,406 $2,977.15 $37.09 +$11,281
Step 10 $79,443 $3,055.50 $38.07 +$11,578
← 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 $52,205
  • Rest of U.S. GS-9 Step 1 $61,111
  • Locality add-on +$8,906
  • Adjustment percent 17.06%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $67,865
  • Rest of U.S. GS-9 Step 10 $79,443

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 2025, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% 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 $2,350 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,056. 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-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 2025, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $61,111 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $79,443. This is 17.06% 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 2025, it is 17.06%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,906 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 $2,350 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.