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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$78,098 GS-11 Step 1 in Milwaukee (2026)
$101,533 GS-11 Step 10 in Milwaukee (2026)
+$14,303 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-11 pay table for Milwaukee

Each step below already includes the 22.42% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-11 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $78,098 $3,003.77 $37.42 +$14,303
Step 2 $80,702 $3,103.92 $38.67 +$14,780
Step 3 $83,306 $3,204.08 $39.92 +$15,257
Step 4 $85,909 $3,304.19 $41.16 +$15,733
Step 5 $88,513 $3,404.35 $42.41 +$16,210
Step 6 $91,117 $3,504.50 $43.66 +$16,687
Step 7 $93,721 $3,604.65 $44.91 +$17,164
Step 8 $96,325 $3,704.81 $46.15 +$17,641
Step 9 $98,929 $3,804.96 $47.40 +$18,118
Step 10 $101,533 $3,905.12 $48.65 +$18,595
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Milwaukee pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $63,795
  • Milwaukee GS-11 Step 1 $78,098
  • Locality add-on +$14,303
  • Adjustment percent 22.42%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $82,938
  • Milwaukee GS-11 Step 10 $101,533

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-11 in Milwaukee: what to expect

Full performance for most professional careers: budget analysts, program managers, engineers, IT specialists and criminal investigators.

For 2026, the Milwaukee pay area adds a 22.42% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-11 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level.

Promotion path. Typical career ladder peak for entry-level hires; competitive promotion to GS-12 requires vacancy and supervisory selection.

The rough military equivalent for GS-11 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-11 in Milwaukee

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $3,004 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,905. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Milwaukee

GS-11 in Milwaukee questions

  • How much does a GS-11 make in Milwaukee?
    In 2026, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns $78,098 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,533. This is 22.42% higher than the base GS-11 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-11 in Milwaukee?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Milwaukee in 2026, it is 22.42%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,303 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-11 in Milwaukee?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-11 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $3,004 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.