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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$45,155 GS-5 Step 1 in Sacramento (2026)
$58,702 GS-5 Step 10 in Sacramento (2026)
+$10,356 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-5 pay table for Sacramento

Each step below already includes the 29.76% 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 $45,155 $1,736.73 $21.64 +$10,356
Step 2 $46,660 $1,794.62 $22.36 +$10,701
Step 3 $48,166 $1,852.54 $23.08 +$11,047
Step 4 $49,671 $1,910.42 $23.80 +$11,392
Step 5 $51,176 $1,968.31 $24.52 +$11,737
Step 6 $52,681 $2,026.19 $25.24 +$12,082
Step 7 $54,186 $2,084.08 $25.96 +$12,427
Step 8 $55,692 $2,142.00 $26.69 +$12,773
Step 9 $57,197 $2,199.88 $27.41 +$13,118
Step 10 $58,702 $2,257.77 $28.13 +$13,463
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Sacramento pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $34,799
  • Sacramento GS-5 Step 1 $45,155
  • Locality add-on +$10,356
  • Adjustment percent 29.76%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $45,239
  • Sacramento GS-5 Step 10 $58,702

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 Sacramento: what to expect

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

For 2026, the Sacramento pay area adds a 29.76% 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 Sacramento

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $1,737 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,258. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Sacramento

GS-5 in Sacramento questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Sacramento?
    In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $45,155 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,702. This is 29.76% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Sacramento?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Sacramento in 2026, it is 29.76%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,356 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Sacramento?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $1,737 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.