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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,604 GS-1 Step 1 in Cleveland (2026)
$34,528 GS-1 Step 10 in Cleveland (2026)
+$5,020 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-1 pay table for Cleveland

Each step below already includes the 22.23% 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 $27,604 $1,061.69 $13.23 +$5,020
Step 2 $28,530 $1,097.31 $13.67 +$5,189
Step 3 $29,448 $1,132.62 $14.11 +$5,356
Step 4 $30,362 $1,167.77 $14.55 +$5,522
Step 5 $31,277 $1,202.96 $14.99 +$5,688
Step 6 $31,814 $1,223.62 $15.24 +$5,786
Step 7 $32,722 $1,258.54 $15.68 +$5,951
Step 8 $33,636 $1,293.69 $16.12 +$6,117
Step 9 $33,674 $1,295.15 $16.14 +$6,124
Step 10 $34,528 $1,328.00 $16.54 +$6,280
Calculate my take-home GS-2 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cleveland pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $22,584
  • Cleveland GS-1 Step 1 $27,604
  • Locality add-on +$5,020
  • Adjustment percent 22.23%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $28,248
  • Cleveland GS-1 Step 10 $34,528

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 Cleveland: 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 Cleveland pay area adds a 22.23% 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 Cleveland

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $1,062 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,328. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Cleveland

GS-1 in Cleveland questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Cleveland?
    In 2026, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns $27,604 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $34,528. This is 22.23% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Cleveland?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cleveland in 2026, it is 22.23%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,020 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Cleveland?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $1,062 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.