2026 GS-2 Pay in Philadelphia
GS-2 employees with a duty station in Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD earn 28.99% on top of the base GS-2 pay scale. That means a GS-2 Step 1 salary jumps from $25,393 on the base table to $32,754 in Philadelphia.
2026 GS-2 Pay in Philadelphia
Locality-adjusted GS-2 rates for Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $32,754 | $1,259.77 | $15.69 | +$7,361 |
| Step 2 | $33,534 | $1,289.77 | $16.07 | +$7,537 |
| Step 3 | $34,620 | $1,331.54 | $16.59 | +$7,781 |
| Step 4 | $35,537 | $1,366.81 | $17.03 | +$7,987 |
| Step 5 | $35,934 | $1,382.08 | $17.22 | +$8,076 |
| Step 6 | $36,990 | $1,422.69 | $17.72 | +$8,313 |
| Step 7 | $38,047 | $1,463.35 | $18.23 | +$8,551 |
| Step 8 | $39,103 | $1,503.96 | $18.74 | +$8,788 |
| Step 9 | $40,160 | $1,544.62 | $19.24 | +$9,026 |
| Step 10 | $41,216 | $1,585.23 | $19.75 | +$9,263 |
2026 GS-2 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-2 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $32,754 | $1,259.77 | $15.69 | +$7,361 |
| Step 2 | $33,534 | $1,289.77 | $16.07 | +$7,537 |
| Step 3 | $34,620 | $1,331.54 | $16.59 | +$7,781 |
| Step 4 | $35,537 | $1,366.81 | $17.03 | +$7,987 |
| Step 5 | $35,934 | $1,382.08 | $17.22 | +$8,076 |
| Step 6 | $36,990 | $1,422.69 | $17.72 | +$8,313 |
| Step 7 | $38,047 | $1,463.35 | $18.23 | +$8,551 |
| Step 8 | $39,103 | $1,503.96 | $18.74 | +$8,788 |
| Step 9 | $40,160 | $1,544.62 | $19.24 | +$9,026 |
| Step 10 | $41,216 | $1,585.23 | $19.75 | +$9,263 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Philadelphia pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-2 in Philadelphia: what to expect
Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.
For 2026, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.99% 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 Philadelphia
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,260 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Philadelphia
GS-2 in Philadelphia questions
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How much does a GS-2 make in Philadelphia?
In 2026, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $32,754 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $41,216. This is 28.99% higher than the base GS-2 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 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-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,361 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Philadelphia?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,260 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.