2026 GS-6 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 17.06% 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 $45,409 in Rest of U.S..
2026 GS-6 Pay in Rest of U.S.
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Rest of U.S..
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $45,409 | $1,746.50 | $21.76 | +$6,618 |
| Step 2 | $46,922 | $1,804.69 | $22.48 | +$6,838 |
| Step 3 | $48,436 | $1,862.92 | $23.21 | +$7,059 |
| Step 4 | $49,950 | $1,921.15 | $23.93 | +$7,280 |
| Step 5 | $51,463 | $1,979.35 | $24.66 | +$7,500 |
| Step 6 | $52,977 | $2,037.58 | $25.38 | +$7,721 |
| Step 7 | $54,490 | $2,095.77 | $26.11 | +$7,941 |
| Step 8 | $56,004 | $2,154.00 | $26.83 | +$8,162 |
| Step 9 | $57,517 | $2,212.19 | $27.56 | +$8,382 |
| Step 10 | $59,031 | $2,270.42 | $28.29 | +$8,603 |
2026 GS-6 pay table for Rest of U.S.
Each step below already includes the 17.06% 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 | $45,409 | $1,746.50 | $21.76 | +$6,618 |
| Step 2 | $46,922 | $1,804.69 | $22.48 | +$6,838 |
| Step 3 | $48,436 | $1,862.92 | $23.21 | +$7,059 |
| Step 4 | $49,950 | $1,921.15 | $23.93 | +$7,280 |
| Step 5 | $51,463 | $1,979.35 | $24.66 | +$7,500 |
| Step 6 | $52,977 | $2,037.58 | $25.38 | +$7,721 |
| Step 7 | $54,490 | $2,095.77 | $26.11 | +$7,941 |
| Step 8 | $56,004 | $2,154.00 | $26.83 | +$8,162 |
| Step 9 | $57,517 | $2,212.19 | $27.56 | +$8,382 |
| Step 10 | $59,031 | $2,270.42 | $28.29 | +$8,603 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rest of U.S. pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% 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 Rest of U.S.
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,747 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,270. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Rest of U.S.
GS-6 in Rest of U.S. questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Rest of U.S.?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $45,409 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $59,031. This is 17.06% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Rest of U.S.?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2026, it is 17.06%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,618 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Rest of U.S.?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,747 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.