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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$62,392 GS-9 Step 1 in Albuquerque (2026)
$81,114 GS-9 Step 10 in Albuquerque (2026)
+$9,665 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-9 pay table for Albuquerque

Each step below already includes the 18.33% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $62,392 $2,399.69 $29.90 +$9,665
Step 2 $64,472 $2,479.69 $30.89 +$9,987
Step 3 $66,552 $2,559.69 $31.89 +$10,309
Step 4 $68,633 $2,639.73 $32.89 +$10,632
Step 5 $70,713 $2,719.73 $33.88 +$10,954
Step 6 $72,793 $2,799.73 $34.88 +$11,276
Step 7 $74,873 $2,879.73 $35.88 +$11,598
Step 8 $76,954 $2,959.77 $36.87 +$11,921
Step 9 $79,034 $3,039.77 $37.87 +$12,243
Step 10 $81,114 $3,119.77 $38.87 +$12,565
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Albuquerque pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $52,727
  • Albuquerque GS-9 Step 1 $62,392
  • Locality add-on +$9,665
  • Adjustment percent 18.33%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $68,549
  • Albuquerque GS-9 Step 10 $81,114

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-9 in Albuquerque: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2026, the Albuquerque pay area adds a 18.33% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 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-9 in Albuquerque

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $2,400 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,120. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Albuquerque

GS-9 in Albuquerque questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Albuquerque?
    In 2026, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $62,392 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $81,114. This is 18.33% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 in Albuquerque?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albuquerque in 2026, it is 18.33%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,665 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Albuquerque?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $2,400 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.