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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,897 GS-10 Step 1 in Philadelphia (2026)
$97,360 GS-10 Step 10 in Philadelphia (2026)
+$16,833 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-10 pay table for Philadelphia

Each step below already includes the 28.99% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-10 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $74,897 $2,880.65 $35.89 +$16,833
Step 2 $77,393 $2,976.65 $37.08 +$17,394
Step 3 $79,889 $3,072.65 $38.28 +$17,955
Step 4 $82,385 $3,168.65 $39.48 +$18,516
Step 5 $84,881 $3,264.65 $40.67 +$19,077
Step 6 $87,377 $3,360.65 $41.87 +$19,638
Step 7 $89,872 $3,456.62 $43.06 +$20,198
Step 8 $92,368 $3,552.62 $44.26 +$20,759
Step 9 $94,864 $3,648.62 $45.45 +$21,320
Step 10 $97,360 $3,744.62 $46.65 +$21,881
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Philadelphia pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $58,064
  • Philadelphia GS-10 Step 1 $74,897
  • Locality add-on +$16,833
  • Adjustment percent 28.99%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $75,479
  • Philadelphia GS-10 Step 10 $97,360

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-10 in Philadelphia: what to expect

Senior technician and supervisory positions, and full-performance roles in a handful of occupations such as Border Patrol and IT.

For 2026, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.99% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-10 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level, plus agency-specific requirements.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-11 after one year of creditable experience in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-10 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-10 in Philadelphia

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $2,881 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,745. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Philadelphia

GS-10 in Philadelphia questions

  • How much does a GS-10 make in Philadelphia?
    In 2026, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $74,897 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,360. This is 28.99% higher than the base GS-10 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-10 in Philadelphia?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2026, it is 28.99%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,833 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-10 in Philadelphia?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-10 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $2,881 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.