2026 GS-6 Pay in Philadelphia
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD earn 28.99% 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 $50,037 in Philadelphia.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Philadelphia
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $50,037 | $1,924.50 | $23.98 | +$11,246 |
| Step 2 | $51,704 | $1,988.62 | $24.77 | +$11,620 |
| Step 3 | $53,372 | $2,052.77 | $25.57 | +$11,995 |
| Step 4 | $55,040 | $2,116.92 | $26.37 | +$12,370 |
| Step 5 | $56,708 | $2,181.08 | $27.17 | +$12,745 |
| Step 6 | $58,376 | $2,245.23 | $27.97 | +$13,120 |
| Step 7 | $60,044 | $2,309.38 | $28.77 | +$13,495 |
| Step 8 | $61,711 | $2,373.50 | $29.57 | +$13,869 |
| Step 9 | $63,379 | $2,437.65 | $30.37 | +$14,244 |
| Step 10 | $65,047 | $2,501.81 | $31.17 | +$14,619 |
2026 GS-6 pay table for Philadelphia
Each step below already includes the 28.99% 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 | $50,037 | $1,924.50 | $23.98 | +$11,246 |
| Step 2 | $51,704 | $1,988.62 | $24.77 | +$11,620 |
| Step 3 | $53,372 | $2,052.77 | $25.57 | +$11,995 |
| Step 4 | $55,040 | $2,116.92 | $26.37 | +$12,370 |
| Step 5 | $56,708 | $2,181.08 | $27.17 | +$12,745 |
| Step 6 | $58,376 | $2,245.23 | $27.97 | +$13,120 |
| Step 7 | $60,044 | $2,309.38 | $28.77 | +$13,495 |
| Step 8 | $61,711 | $2,373.50 | $29.57 | +$13,869 |
| Step 9 | $63,379 | $2,437.65 | $30.37 | +$14,244 |
| Step 10 | $65,047 | $2,501.81 | $31.17 | +$14,619 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Philadelphia pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Philadelphia: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.99% 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 Philadelphia
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,925 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,502. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Philadelphia
GS-6 in Philadelphia questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Philadelphia?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $50,037 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $65,047. This is 28.99% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Philadelphia?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2026, it is 28.99%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,246 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Philadelphia?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,925 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.