2026 GS-5 Pay in Albuquerque
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM earn 18.33% on top of the base GS-5 pay scale. That means a GS-5 Step 1 salary jumps from $34,799 on the base table to $41,178 in Albuquerque.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Albuquerque
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $41,178 | $1,583.77 | $19.73 | +$6,379 |
| Step 2 | $42,550 | $1,636.54 | $20.39 | +$6,591 |
| Step 3 | $43,923 | $1,689.35 | $21.05 | +$6,804 |
| Step 4 | $45,296 | $1,742.15 | $21.70 | +$7,017 |
| Step 5 | $46,668 | $1,794.92 | $22.36 | +$7,229 |
| Step 6 | $48,041 | $1,847.73 | $23.02 | +$7,442 |
| Step 7 | $49,413 | $1,900.50 | $23.68 | +$7,654 |
| Step 8 | $50,786 | $1,953.31 | $24.33 | +$7,867 |
| Step 9 | $52,159 | $2,006.12 | $24.99 | +$8,080 |
| Step 10 | $53,531 | $2,058.88 | $25.65 | +$8,292 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Albuquerque
Each step below already includes the 18.33% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $41,178 | $1,583.77 | $19.73 | +$6,379 |
| Step 2 | $42,550 | $1,636.54 | $20.39 | +$6,591 |
| Step 3 | $43,923 | $1,689.35 | $21.05 | +$6,804 |
| Step 4 | $45,296 | $1,742.15 | $21.70 | +$7,017 |
| Step 5 | $46,668 | $1,794.92 | $22.36 | +$7,229 |
| Step 6 | $48,041 | $1,847.73 | $23.02 | +$7,442 |
| Step 7 | $49,413 | $1,900.50 | $23.68 | +$7,654 |
| Step 8 | $50,786 | $1,953.31 | $24.33 | +$7,867 |
| Step 9 | $52,159 | $2,006.12 | $24.99 | +$8,080 |
| Step 10 | $53,531 | $2,058.88 | $25.65 | +$8,292 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Albuquerque pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Albuquerque: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Albuquerque pay area adds a 18.33% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.
Qualifications and career path
Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.
Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.
The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Albuquerque
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $1,584 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,059. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Albuquerque
GS-5 in Albuquerque questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Albuquerque?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $41,178 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,531. This is 18.33% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Albuquerque?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albuquerque in 2026, it is 18.33%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,379 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Albuquerque?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $1,584 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.