An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,537 GS-1 Step 1 in Cincinnati (2026)
$34,443 GS-1 Step 10 in Cincinnati (2026)
+$4,953 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-1 pay table for Cincinnati

Each step below already includes the 21.93% 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 $27,537 $1,059.12 $13.19 +$4,953
Step 2 $28,460 $1,094.62 $13.64 +$5,119
Step 3 $29,375 $1,129.81 $14.08 +$5,283
Step 4 $30,287 $1,164.88 $14.51 +$5,447
Step 5 $31,201 $1,200.04 $14.95 +$5,612
Step 6 $31,736 $1,220.62 $15.21 +$5,708
Step 7 $32,642 $1,255.46 $15.64 +$5,871
Step 8 $33,554 $1,290.54 $16.08 +$6,035
Step 9 $33,592 $1,292.00 $16.10 +$6,042
Step 10 $34,443 $1,324.73 $16.50 +$6,195
Calculate my take-home GS-2 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cincinnati pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $22,584
  • Cincinnati GS-1 Step 1 $27,537
  • Locality add-on +$4,953
  • Adjustment percent 21.93%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $28,248
  • Cincinnati GS-1 Step 10 $34,443

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-1 in Cincinnati: 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 Cincinnati pay area adds a 21.93% 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 Cincinnati

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $1,059 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,325. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Cincinnati

GS-1 in Cincinnati questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Cincinnati?
    In 2026, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns $27,537 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $34,443. This is 21.93% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Cincinnati?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cincinnati in 2026, it is 21.93%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,953 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Cincinnati?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $1,059 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.