2026 GS-1 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-1 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 17.06% on top of the base GS-1 pay scale. That means a GS-1 Step 1 salary jumps from $22,584 on the base table to $26,437 in Rest of U.S..
2026 GS-1 Pay in Rest of U.S.
Locality-adjusted GS-1 rates for Rest of U.S..
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $26,437 | $1,016.81 | $12.67 | +$3,853 |
| Step 2 | $27,323 | $1,050.88 | $13.09 | +$3,982 |
| Step 3 | $28,202 | $1,084.69 | $13.51 | +$4,110 |
| Step 4 | $29,078 | $1,118.38 | $13.93 | +$4,238 |
| Step 5 | $29,954 | $1,152.08 | $14.35 | +$4,365 |
| Step 6 | $30,468 | $1,171.85 | $14.60 | +$4,440 |
| Step 7 | $31,338 | $1,205.31 | $15.02 | +$4,567 |
| Step 8 | $32,214 | $1,239.00 | $15.44 | +$4,695 |
| Step 9 | $32,250 | $1,240.38 | $15.45 | +$4,700 |
| Step 10 | $33,067 | $1,271.81 | $15.84 | +$4,819 |
2026 GS-1 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-1 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $26,437 | $1,016.81 | $12.67 | +$3,853 |
| Step 2 | $27,323 | $1,050.88 | $13.09 | +$3,982 |
| Step 3 | $28,202 | $1,084.69 | $13.51 | +$4,110 |
| Step 4 | $29,078 | $1,118.38 | $13.93 | +$4,238 |
| Step 5 | $29,954 | $1,152.08 | $14.35 | +$4,365 |
| Step 6 | $30,468 | $1,171.85 | $14.60 | +$4,440 |
| Step 7 | $31,338 | $1,205.31 | $15.02 | +$4,567 |
| Step 8 | $32,214 | $1,239.00 | $15.44 | +$4,695 |
| Step 9 | $32,250 | $1,240.38 | $15.45 | +$4,700 |
| Step 10 | $33,067 | $1,271.81 | $15.84 | +$4,819 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rest of U.S. pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-1 in Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% 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 Rest of U.S.
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,017 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,272. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Rest of U.S.
GS-1 in Rest of U.S. questions
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How much does a GS-1 make in Rest of U.S.?
In 2026, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $26,437 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $33,067. This is 17.06% higher than the base GS-1 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 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 2026, it is 17.06%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $3,853 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Rest of U.S.?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,017 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.