2026 GS-5 Pay in Richmond
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Richmond, VA earn 22.28% 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 $42,552 in Richmond.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Richmond
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Richmond, VA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $42,552 | $1,636.62 | $20.39 | +$7,753 |
| Step 2 | $43,971 | $1,691.19 | $21.07 | +$8,012 |
| Step 3 | $45,389 | $1,745.73 | $21.75 | +$8,270 |
| Step 4 | $46,808 | $1,800.31 | $22.43 | +$8,529 |
| Step 5 | $48,226 | $1,854.85 | $23.11 | +$8,787 |
| Step 6 | $49,644 | $1,909.38 | $23.79 | +$9,045 |
| Step 7 | $51,063 | $1,963.96 | $24.47 | +$9,304 |
| Step 8 | $52,481 | $2,018.50 | $25.15 | +$9,562 |
| Step 9 | $53,900 | $2,073.08 | $25.83 | +$9,821 |
| Step 10 | $55,318 | $2,127.62 | $26.51 | +$10,079 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Richmond
Each step below already includes the 22.28% 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 | $42,552 | $1,636.62 | $20.39 | +$7,753 |
| Step 2 | $43,971 | $1,691.19 | $21.07 | +$8,012 |
| Step 3 | $45,389 | $1,745.73 | $21.75 | +$8,270 |
| Step 4 | $46,808 | $1,800.31 | $22.43 | +$8,529 |
| Step 5 | $48,226 | $1,854.85 | $23.11 | +$8,787 |
| Step 6 | $49,644 | $1,909.38 | $23.79 | +$9,045 |
| Step 7 | $51,063 | $1,963.96 | $24.47 | +$9,304 |
| Step 8 | $52,481 | $2,018.50 | $25.15 | +$9,562 |
| Step 9 | $53,900 | $2,073.08 | $25.83 | +$9,821 |
| Step 10 | $55,318 | $2,127.62 | $26.51 | +$10,079 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Richmond pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Richmond: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Richmond pay area adds a 22.28% 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 Richmond
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $1,637 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,128. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Richmond
GS-5 in Richmond questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Richmond?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $42,552 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $55,318. This is 22.28% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Richmond?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Richmond in 2026, it is 22.28%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,753 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Richmond?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $1,637 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.