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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,400 GS-5 Step 1 in Kansas City (2026)
$53,821 GS-5 Step 10 in Kansas City (2026)
+$6,601 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-5 pay table for Kansas City

Each step below already includes the 18.97% 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 $41,400 $1,592.31 $19.84 +$6,601
Step 2 $42,780 $1,645.38 $20.50 +$6,821
Step 3 $44,160 $1,698.46 $21.16 +$7,041
Step 4 $45,541 $1,751.58 $21.82 +$7,262
Step 5 $46,921 $1,804.65 $22.48 +$7,482
Step 6 $48,301 $1,857.73 $23.14 +$7,702
Step 7 $49,681 $1,910.81 $23.80 +$7,922
Step 8 $51,061 $1,963.88 $24.47 +$8,142
Step 9 $52,441 $2,016.96 $25.13 +$8,362
Step 10 $53,821 $2,070.04 $25.79 +$8,582
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Kansas City pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $34,799
  • Kansas City GS-5 Step 1 $41,400
  • Locality add-on +$6,601
  • Adjustment percent 18.97%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $45,239
  • Kansas City GS-5 Step 10 $53,821

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-5 in Kansas City: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2026, the Kansas City pay area adds a 18.97% 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 Kansas City

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns roughly $1,592 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,070. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Kansas City

GS-5 in Kansas City questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Kansas City?
    In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns $41,400 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,821. This is 18.97% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Kansas City?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Kansas City in 2026, it is 18.97%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,601 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Kansas City?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns roughly $1,592 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.