2026 GS-5 Pay in Phoenix
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ earn 22.45% 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 $42,611 in Phoenix.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Phoenix
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Phoenix-Mesa, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $42,611 | $1,638.88 | $20.42 | +$7,812 |
| Step 2 | $44,032 | $1,693.54 | $21.10 | +$8,073 |
| Step 3 | $45,452 | $1,748.15 | $21.78 | +$8,333 |
| Step 4 | $46,873 | $1,802.81 | $22.46 | +$8,594 |
| Step 5 | $48,293 | $1,857.42 | $23.14 | +$8,854 |
| Step 6 | $49,713 | $1,912.04 | $23.82 | +$9,114 |
| Step 7 | $51,134 | $1,966.69 | $24.50 | +$9,375 |
| Step 8 | $52,554 | $2,021.31 | $25.18 | +$9,635 |
| Step 9 | $53,975 | $2,075.96 | $25.86 | +$9,896 |
| Step 10 | $55,395 | $2,130.58 | $26.54 | +$10,156 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Phoenix
Each step below already includes the 22.45% 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 | $42,611 | $1,638.88 | $20.42 | +$7,812 |
| Step 2 | $44,032 | $1,693.54 | $21.10 | +$8,073 |
| Step 3 | $45,452 | $1,748.15 | $21.78 | +$8,333 |
| Step 4 | $46,873 | $1,802.81 | $22.46 | +$8,594 |
| Step 5 | $48,293 | $1,857.42 | $23.14 | +$8,854 |
| Step 6 | $49,713 | $1,912.04 | $23.82 | +$9,114 |
| Step 7 | $51,134 | $1,966.69 | $24.50 | +$9,375 |
| Step 8 | $52,554 | $2,021.31 | $25.18 | +$9,635 |
| Step 9 | $53,975 | $2,075.96 | $25.86 | +$9,896 |
| Step 10 | $55,395 | $2,130.58 | $26.54 | +$10,156 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Phoenix pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Phoenix: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Phoenix pay area adds a 22.45% 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 Phoenix
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $1,639 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,131. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Phoenix
GS-5 in Phoenix questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Phoenix?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $42,611 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $55,395. This is 22.45% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Phoenix?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Phoenix in 2026, it is 22.45%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,812 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Phoenix?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $1,639 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.