2026 GS-5 Pay in Indianapolis
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN earn 18.15% 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 $41,115 in Indianapolis.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Indianapolis
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $41,115 | $1,581.35 | $19.70 | +$6,316 |
| Step 2 | $42,486 | $1,634.08 | $20.36 | +$6,527 |
| Step 3 | $43,856 | $1,686.77 | $21.01 | +$6,737 |
| Step 4 | $45,227 | $1,739.50 | $21.67 | +$6,948 |
| Step 5 | $46,597 | $1,792.19 | $22.33 | +$7,158 |
| Step 6 | $47,968 | $1,844.92 | $22.98 | +$7,369 |
| Step 7 | $49,338 | $1,897.62 | $23.64 | +$7,579 |
| Step 8 | $50,709 | $1,950.35 | $24.30 | +$7,790 |
| Step 9 | $52,079 | $2,003.04 | $24.95 | +$8,000 |
| Step 10 | $53,450 | $2,055.77 | $25.61 | +$8,211 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Indianapolis
Each step below already includes the 18.15% 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 | $41,115 | $1,581.35 | $19.70 | +$6,316 |
| Step 2 | $42,486 | $1,634.08 | $20.36 | +$6,527 |
| Step 3 | $43,856 | $1,686.77 | $21.01 | +$6,737 |
| Step 4 | $45,227 | $1,739.50 | $21.67 | +$6,948 |
| Step 5 | $46,597 | $1,792.19 | $22.33 | +$7,158 |
| Step 6 | $47,968 | $1,844.92 | $22.98 | +$7,369 |
| Step 7 | $49,338 | $1,897.62 | $23.64 | +$7,579 |
| Step 8 | $50,709 | $1,950.35 | $24.30 | +$7,790 |
| Step 9 | $52,079 | $2,003.04 | $24.95 | +$8,000 |
| Step 10 | $53,450 | $2,055.77 | $25.61 | +$8,211 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Indianapolis pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Indianapolis: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Indianapolis pay area adds a 18.15% 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 Indianapolis
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns roughly $1,581 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,056. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Indianapolis
GS-5 in Indianapolis questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Indianapolis?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns $41,115 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,450. This is 18.15% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Indianapolis?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Indianapolis in 2026, it is 18.15%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,316 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Indianapolis?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns roughly $1,581 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.