An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$30,289 GS-2 Step 1 in Tucson (2026)
$38,114 GS-2 Step 10 in Tucson (2026)
+$4,896 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-2 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-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $30,289 $1,164.96 $14.51 +$4,896
Step 2 $31,009 $1,192.65 $14.86 +$5,012
Step 3 $32,014 $1,231.31 $15.34 +$5,175
Step 4 $32,862 $1,263.92 $15.75 +$5,312
Step 5 $33,229 $1,278.04 $15.92 +$5,371
Step 6 $34,206 $1,315.62 $16.39 +$5,529
Step 7 $35,183 $1,353.19 $16.86 +$5,687
Step 8 $36,160 $1,390.77 $17.33 +$5,845
Step 9 $37,137 $1,428.35 $17.79 +$6,003
Step 10 $38,114 $1,465.92 $18.26 +$6,161

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $25,393
  • Tucson GS-2 Step 1 $30,289
  • Locality add-on +$4,896
  • Adjustment percent 19.28%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $31,953
  • Tucson GS-2 Step 10 $38,114

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 Tucson: what to expect

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

For 2026, the Tucson pay area adds a 19.28% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $1,165 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,466. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-2 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Tucson?
    In 2026, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $30,289 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $38,114. This is 19.28% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 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-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,896 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $1,165 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.