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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$106,437 GS-13 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2026)
$138,370 GS-13 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2026)
+$15,512 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $106,437 $4,093.73 $51.00 +$15,512
Step 2 $109,985 $4,230.19 $52.70 +$16,029
Step 3 $113,533 $4,366.65 $54.40 +$16,546
Step 4 $117,081 $4,503.12 $56.10 +$17,063
Step 5 $120,629 $4,639.58 $57.80 +$17,580
Step 6 $124,177 $4,776.04 $59.50 +$18,097
Step 7 $127,725 $4,912.50 $61.20 +$18,614
Step 8 $131,273 $5,048.96 $62.90 +$19,131
Step 9 $134,822 $5,185.46 $64.60 +$19,649
Step 10 $138,370 $5,321.92 $66.30 +$20,166
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $90,925
  • Rest of U.S. GS-13 Step 1 $106,437
  • Locality add-on +$15,512
  • Adjustment percent 17.06%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $118,204
  • Rest of U.S. GS-13 Step 10 $138,370

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-13 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

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-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $4,094 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,322. 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-13 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2026, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $106,437 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $138,370. This is 17.06% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,512 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $4,094 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.