2026 GS-6 Pay in Seattle
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 31.57% 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 $51,037 in Seattle.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Seattle
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $51,037 | $1,962.96 | $24.45 | +$12,246 |
| Step 2 | $52,739 | $2,028.42 | $25.27 | +$12,655 |
| Step 3 | $54,440 | $2,093.85 | $26.09 | +$13,063 |
| Step 4 | $56,141 | $2,159.27 | $26.90 | +$13,471 |
| Step 5 | $57,842 | $2,224.69 | $27.72 | +$13,879 |
| Step 6 | $59,543 | $2,290.12 | $28.53 | +$14,287 |
| Step 7 | $61,245 | $2,355.58 | $29.35 | +$14,696 |
| Step 8 | $62,946 | $2,421.00 | $30.16 | +$15,104 |
| Step 9 | $64,647 | $2,486.42 | $30.98 | +$15,512 |
| Step 10 | $66,348 | $2,551.85 | $31.79 | +$15,920 |
2026 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $51,037 | $1,962.96 | $24.45 | +$12,246 |
| Step 2 | $52,739 | $2,028.42 | $25.27 | +$12,655 |
| Step 3 | $54,440 | $2,093.85 | $26.09 | +$13,063 |
| Step 4 | $56,141 | $2,159.27 | $26.90 | +$13,471 |
| Step 5 | $57,842 | $2,224.69 | $27.72 | +$13,879 |
| Step 6 | $59,543 | $2,290.12 | $28.53 | +$14,287 |
| Step 7 | $61,245 | $2,355.58 | $29.35 | +$14,696 |
| Step 8 | $62,946 | $2,421.00 | $30.16 | +$15,104 |
| Step 9 | $64,647 | $2,486.42 | $30.98 | +$15,512 |
| Step 10 | $66,348 | $2,551.85 | $31.79 | +$15,920 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Seattle pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Seattle: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Seattle pay area adds a 31.57% 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 Seattle
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,963 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,552. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Seattle
GS-6 in Seattle questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Seattle?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $51,037 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $66,348. This is 31.57% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,246 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Seattle?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,963 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.