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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$46,685 GS-6 Step 1 in Austin (2026)
$60,690 GS-6 Step 10 in Austin (2026)
+$7,894 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-6 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 20.35% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $46,685 $1,795.58 $22.37 +$7,894
Step 2 $48,241 $1,855.42 $23.11 +$8,157
Step 3 $49,797 $1,915.27 $23.86 +$8,420
Step 4 $51,353 $1,975.12 $24.61 +$8,683
Step 5 $52,909 $2,034.96 $25.35 +$8,946
Step 6 $54,466 $2,094.85 $26.10 +$9,210
Step 7 $56,022 $2,154.69 $26.84 +$9,473
Step 8 $57,578 $2,214.54 $27.59 +$9,736
Step 9 $59,134 $2,274.38 $28.33 +$9,999
Step 10 $60,690 $2,334.23 $29.08 +$10,262

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $38,791
  • Austin GS-6 Step 1 $46,685
  • Locality add-on +$7,894
  • Adjustment percent 20.35%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $50,428
  • Austin GS-6 Step 10 $60,690

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-6 in Austin: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2026, the Austin pay area adds a 20.35% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $1,796 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,334. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Austin

GS-6 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Austin?
    In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $46,685 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $60,690. This is 20.35% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2026, it is 20.35%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,894 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $1,796 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.