An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$40,896 GS-5 Step 1 in Reno (2026)
$53,165 GS-5 Step 10 in Reno (2026)
+$6,097 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-5 pay table for Reno

Each step below already includes the 17.52% 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 $40,896 $1,572.92 $19.60 +$6,097
Step 2 $42,259 $1,625.35 $20.25 +$6,300
Step 3 $43,622 $1,677.77 $20.90 +$6,503
Step 4 $44,985 $1,730.19 $21.55 +$6,706
Step 5 $46,349 $1,782.65 $22.21 +$6,910
Step 6 $47,712 $1,835.08 $22.86 +$7,113
Step 7 $49,075 $1,887.50 $23.51 +$7,316
Step 8 $50,438 $1,939.92 $24.17 +$7,519
Step 9 $51,802 $1,992.38 $24.82 +$7,723
Step 10 $53,165 $2,044.81 $25.47 +$7,926

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Reno pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $34,799
  • Reno GS-5 Step 1 $40,896
  • Locality add-on +$6,097
  • Adjustment percent 17.52%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $45,239
  • Reno GS-5 Step 10 $53,165

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 Reno: what to expect

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

For 2026, the Reno pay area adds a 17.52% 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 Reno

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $1,573 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,045. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Reno

GS-5 in Reno questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Reno?
    In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Reno earns $40,896 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,165. This is 17.52% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Reno?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Reno in 2026, it is 17.52%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,097 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Reno?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $1,573 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.