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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$30,560 GS-2 Step 1 in Austin (2026)
$38,455 GS-2 Step 10 in Austin (2026)
+$5,167 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-2 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 20.35% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $30,560 $1,175.38 $14.64 +$5,167
Step 2 $31,287 $1,203.35 $14.99 +$5,290
Step 3 $32,301 $1,242.35 $15.48 +$5,462
Step 4 $33,156 $1,275.23 $15.89 +$5,606
Step 5 $33,527 $1,289.50 $16.06 +$5,669
Step 6 $34,513 $1,327.42 $16.54 +$5,836
Step 7 $35,498 $1,365.31 $17.01 +$6,002
Step 8 $36,484 $1,403.23 $17.48 +$6,169
Step 9 $37,470 $1,441.15 $17.95 +$6,336
Step 10 $38,455 $1,479.04 $18.43 +$6,502

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $25,393
  • Austin GS-2 Step 1 $30,560
  • Locality add-on +$5,167
  • Adjustment percent 20.35%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $31,953
  • Austin GS-2 Step 10 $38,455

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-2 in Austin: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2026, the Austin pay area adds a 20.35% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $1,175 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,479. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Austin

GS-2 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Austin?
    In 2026, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $30,560 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $38,455. This is 20.35% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2026, it is 20.35%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,167 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $1,175 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.