2026 GS-5 Pay in Milwaukee
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI earn 22.42% 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 $42,601 in Milwaukee.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Milwaukee
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $42,601 | $1,638.50 | $20.41 | +$7,802 |
| Step 2 | $44,021 | $1,693.12 | $21.09 | +$8,062 |
| Step 3 | $45,441 | $1,747.73 | $21.77 | +$8,322 |
| Step 4 | $46,861 | $1,802.35 | $22.45 | +$8,582 |
| Step 5 | $48,281 | $1,856.96 | $23.13 | +$8,842 |
| Step 6 | $49,701 | $1,911.58 | $23.81 | +$9,102 |
| Step 7 | $51,121 | $1,966.19 | $24.49 | +$9,362 |
| Step 8 | $52,541 | $2,020.81 | $25.18 | +$9,622 |
| Step 9 | $53,962 | $2,075.46 | $25.86 | +$9,883 |
| Step 10 | $55,382 | $2,130.08 | $26.54 | +$10,143 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Milwaukee
Each step below already includes the 22.42% 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 | $42,601 | $1,638.50 | $20.41 | +$7,802 |
| Step 2 | $44,021 | $1,693.12 | $21.09 | +$8,062 |
| Step 3 | $45,441 | $1,747.73 | $21.77 | +$8,322 |
| Step 4 | $46,861 | $1,802.35 | $22.45 | +$8,582 |
| Step 5 | $48,281 | $1,856.96 | $23.13 | +$8,842 |
| Step 6 | $49,701 | $1,911.58 | $23.81 | +$9,102 |
| Step 7 | $51,121 | $1,966.19 | $24.49 | +$9,362 |
| Step 8 | $52,541 | $2,020.81 | $25.18 | +$9,622 |
| Step 9 | $53,962 | $2,075.46 | $25.86 | +$9,883 |
| Step 10 | $55,382 | $2,130.08 | $26.54 | +$10,143 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Milwaukee pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Milwaukee: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Milwaukee pay area adds a 22.42% 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 Milwaukee
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $1,639 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,130. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Milwaukee
GS-5 in Milwaukee questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Milwaukee?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns $42,601 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $55,382. This is 22.42% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Milwaukee?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Milwaukee in 2026, it is 22.42%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,802 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Milwaukee?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $1,639 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.