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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$108,455 GS-13 Step 1 in Tucson (2026)
$140,994 GS-13 Step 10 in Tucson (2026)
+$17,530 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-13 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 19.28% 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 $108,455 $4,171.35 $51.97 +$17,530
Step 2 $112,071 $4,310.42 $53.70 +$18,115
Step 3 $115,686 $4,449.46 $55.43 +$18,699
Step 4 $119,301 $4,588.50 $57.16 +$19,283
Step 5 $122,917 $4,727.58 $58.90 +$19,868
Step 6 $126,532 $4,866.62 $60.63 +$20,452
Step 7 $130,148 $5,005.69 $62.36 +$21,037
Step 8 $133,763 $5,144.73 $64.09 +$21,621
Step 9 $137,378 $5,283.77 $65.83 +$22,205
Step 10 $140,994 $5,422.85 $67.56 +$22,790

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $90,925
  • Tucson GS-13 Step 1 $108,455
  • Locality add-on +$17,530
  • Adjustment percent 19.28%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $118,204
  • Tucson GS-13 Step 10 $140,994

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 Tucson: 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 Tucson pay area adds a 19.28% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $4,171 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,423. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-13 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Tucson?
    In 2026, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $108,455 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $140,994. This is 19.28% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2026, it is 19.28%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,530 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $4,171 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.