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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,026 GS-1 Step 1 in Charlotte (2026)
$33,804 GS-1 Step 10 in Charlotte (2026)
+$4,442 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-1 pay table for Charlotte

Each step below already includes the 19.67% 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 $27,026 $1,039.46 $12.95 +$4,442
Step 2 $27,932 $1,074.31 $13.38 +$4,591
Step 3 $28,831 $1,108.88 $13.81 +$4,739
Step 4 $29,726 $1,143.31 $14.24 +$4,886
Step 5 $30,622 $1,177.77 $14.67 +$5,033
Step 6 $31,148 $1,198.00 $14.92 +$5,120
Step 7 $32,037 $1,232.19 $15.35 +$5,266
Step 8 $32,932 $1,266.62 $15.78 +$5,413
Step 9 $32,969 $1,268.04 $15.80 +$5,419
Step 10 $33,804 $1,300.15 $16.20 +$5,556
Calculate my take-home GS-2 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Charlotte pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $22,584
  • Charlotte GS-1 Step 1 $27,026
  • Locality add-on +$4,442
  • Adjustment percent 19.67%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $28,248
  • Charlotte GS-1 Step 10 $33,804

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 Charlotte: 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 2026, the Charlotte pay area adds a 19.67% 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 Charlotte

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns roughly $1,039 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,300. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Charlotte

GS-1 in Charlotte questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Charlotte?
    In 2026, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns $27,026 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $33,804. This is 19.67% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Charlotte?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Charlotte in 2026, it is 19.67%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,442 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Charlotte?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns roughly $1,039 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.