2026 GS-5 Pay in Detroit
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI earn 29.12% 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 $44,932 in Detroit.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Detroit
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $44,932 | $1,728.15 | $21.53 | +$10,133 |
| Step 2 | $46,430 | $1,785.77 | $22.25 | +$10,471 |
| Step 3 | $47,928 | $1,843.38 | $22.97 | +$10,809 |
| Step 4 | $49,426 | $1,901.00 | $23.68 | +$11,147 |
| Step 5 | $50,924 | $1,958.62 | $24.40 | +$11,485 |
| Step 6 | $52,421 | $2,016.19 | $25.12 | +$11,822 |
| Step 7 | $53,919 | $2,073.81 | $25.84 | +$12,160 |
| Step 8 | $55,417 | $2,131.42 | $26.55 | +$12,498 |
| Step 9 | $56,915 | $2,189.04 | $27.27 | +$12,836 |
| Step 10 | $58,413 | $2,246.65 | $27.99 | +$13,174 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Detroit
Each step below already includes the 29.12% 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 | $44,932 | $1,728.15 | $21.53 | +$10,133 |
| Step 2 | $46,430 | $1,785.77 | $22.25 | +$10,471 |
| Step 3 | $47,928 | $1,843.38 | $22.97 | +$10,809 |
| Step 4 | $49,426 | $1,901.00 | $23.68 | +$11,147 |
| Step 5 | $50,924 | $1,958.62 | $24.40 | +$11,485 |
| Step 6 | $52,421 | $2,016.19 | $25.12 | +$11,822 |
| Step 7 | $53,919 | $2,073.81 | $25.84 | +$12,160 |
| Step 8 | $55,417 | $2,131.42 | $26.55 | +$12,498 |
| Step 9 | $56,915 | $2,189.04 | $27.27 | +$12,836 |
| Step 10 | $58,413 | $2,246.65 | $27.99 | +$13,174 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Detroit pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Detroit: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Detroit pay area adds a 29.12% 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 Detroit
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,728 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,247. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Detroit
GS-5 in Detroit questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Detroit?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns $44,932 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,413. This is 29.12% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Detroit?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Detroit in 2026, it is 29.12%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,133 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Detroit?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,728 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.