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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$56,274 GS-8 Step 1 in Rochester (2026)
$73,153 GS-8 Step 10 in Rochester (2026)
+$8,536 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-8 pay table for Rochester

Each step below already includes the 17.88% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $56,274 $2,164.38 $26.96 +$8,536
Step 2 $58,149 $2,236.50 $27.86 +$8,820
Step 3 $60,024 $2,308.62 $28.76 +$9,104
Step 4 $61,900 $2,380.77 $29.66 +$9,389
Step 5 $63,775 $2,452.88 $30.56 +$9,673
Step 6 $65,651 $2,525.04 $31.46 +$9,958
Step 7 $67,526 $2,597.15 $32.36 +$10,242
Step 8 $69,402 $2,669.31 $33.25 +$10,527
Step 9 $71,277 $2,741.42 $34.15 +$10,811
Step 10 $73,153 $2,813.58 $35.05 +$11,096
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rochester pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $47,738
  • Rochester GS-8 Step 1 $56,274
  • Locality add-on +$8,536
  • Adjustment percent 17.88%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $62,057
  • Rochester GS-8 Step 10 $73,153

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-8 in Rochester: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2026, the Rochester pay area adds a 17.88% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Rochester

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $2,164 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,814. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Rochester

GS-8 in Rochester questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Rochester?
    In 2026, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns $56,274 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $73,153. This is 17.88% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in Rochester?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rochester in 2026, it is 17.88%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,536 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Rochester?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $2,164 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.