2026 GS-6 Pay in Houston
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Houston-The Woodlands, TX earn 35.00% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $38,791 on the base table to $52,368 in Houston.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Houston
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Houston-The Woodlands, TX.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $52,368 | $2,014.15 | $25.09 | +$13,577 |
| Step 2 | $54,113 | $2,081.27 | $25.93 | +$14,029 |
| Step 3 | $55,859 | $2,148.42 | $26.77 | +$14,482 |
| Step 4 | $57,605 | $2,215.58 | $27.60 | +$14,935 |
| Step 5 | $59,350 | $2,282.69 | $28.44 | +$15,387 |
| Step 6 | $61,096 | $2,349.85 | $29.27 | +$15,840 |
| Step 7 | $62,841 | $2,416.96 | $30.11 | +$16,292 |
| Step 8 | $64,587 | $2,484.12 | $30.95 | +$16,745 |
| Step 9 | $66,332 | $2,551.23 | $31.78 | +$17,197 |
| Step 10 | $68,078 | $2,618.38 | $32.62 | +$17,650 |
2026 GS-6 pay table for Houston
Each step below already includes the 35.00% 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 | $52,368 | $2,014.15 | $25.09 | +$13,577 |
| Step 2 | $54,113 | $2,081.27 | $25.93 | +$14,029 |
| Step 3 | $55,859 | $2,148.42 | $26.77 | +$14,482 |
| Step 4 | $57,605 | $2,215.58 | $27.60 | +$14,935 |
| Step 5 | $59,350 | $2,282.69 | $28.44 | +$15,387 |
| Step 6 | $61,096 | $2,349.85 | $29.27 | +$15,840 |
| Step 7 | $62,841 | $2,416.96 | $30.11 | +$16,292 |
| Step 8 | $64,587 | $2,484.12 | $30.95 | +$16,745 |
| Step 9 | $66,332 | $2,551.23 | $31.78 | +$17,197 |
| Step 10 | $68,078 | $2,618.38 | $32.62 | +$17,650 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Houston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Houston: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Houston pay area adds a 35.00% 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 Houston
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $2,014 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,618. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Houston
GS-6 in Houston questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Houston?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $52,368 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $68,078. This is 35.00% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Houston?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2026, it is 35.00%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,577 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Houston?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $2,014 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.