2026 GS-5 Pay in Seattle
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 31.57% 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 $45,785 in Seattle.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Seattle
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $45,785 | $1,760.96 | $21.94 | +$10,986 |
| Step 2 | $47,311 | $1,819.65 | $22.67 | +$11,352 |
| Step 3 | $48,837 | $1,878.35 | $23.40 | +$11,718 |
| Step 4 | $50,364 | $1,937.08 | $24.13 | +$12,085 |
| Step 5 | $51,890 | $1,995.77 | $24.86 | +$12,451 |
| Step 6 | $53,416 | $2,054.46 | $25.59 | +$12,817 |
| Step 7 | $54,942 | $2,113.15 | $26.33 | +$13,183 |
| Step 8 | $56,469 | $2,171.88 | $27.06 | +$13,550 |
| Step 9 | $57,995 | $2,230.58 | $27.79 | +$13,916 |
| Step 10 | $59,521 | $2,289.27 | $28.52 | +$14,282 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Seattle
Each step below already includes the 31.57% 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 | $45,785 | $1,760.96 | $21.94 | +$10,986 |
| Step 2 | $47,311 | $1,819.65 | $22.67 | +$11,352 |
| Step 3 | $48,837 | $1,878.35 | $23.40 | +$11,718 |
| Step 4 | $50,364 | $1,937.08 | $24.13 | +$12,085 |
| Step 5 | $51,890 | $1,995.77 | $24.86 | +$12,451 |
| Step 6 | $53,416 | $2,054.46 | $25.59 | +$12,817 |
| Step 7 | $54,942 | $2,113.15 | $26.33 | +$13,183 |
| Step 8 | $56,469 | $2,171.88 | $27.06 | +$13,550 |
| Step 9 | $57,995 | $2,230.58 | $27.79 | +$13,916 |
| Step 10 | $59,521 | $2,289.27 | $28.52 | +$14,282 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Seattle pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Seattle: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Seattle pay area adds a 31.57% 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 Seattle
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,761 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,289. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Seattle
GS-5 in Seattle questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Seattle?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $45,785 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $59,521. This is 31.57% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Seattle?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2026, it is 31.57%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,986 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Seattle?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,761 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.