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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$71,957 GS-9 Step 1 in Los Angeles (2026)
$93,549 GS-9 Step 10 in Los Angeles (2026)
+$19,230 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-9 pay table for Los Angeles

Each step below already includes the 36.47% 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 $71,957 $2,767.58 $34.48 +$19,230
Step 2 $74,356 $2,859.85 $35.63 +$19,871
Step 3 $76,755 $2,952.12 $36.78 +$20,512
Step 4 $79,154 $3,044.38 $37.93 +$21,153
Step 5 $81,553 $3,136.65 $39.08 +$21,794
Step 6 $83,952 $3,228.92 $40.23 +$22,435
Step 7 $86,351 $3,321.19 $41.38 +$23,076
Step 8 $88,751 $3,413.50 $42.53 +$23,718
Step 9 $91,150 $3,505.77 $43.68 +$24,359
Step 10 $93,549 $3,598.04 $44.82 +$25,000
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Los Angeles pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $52,727
  • Los Angeles GS-9 Step 1 $71,957
  • Locality add-on +$19,230
  • Adjustment percent 36.47%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $68,549
  • Los Angeles GS-9 Step 10 $93,549

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 Los Angeles: what to expect

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

For 2026, the Los Angeles pay area adds a 36.47% 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 Los Angeles

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $2,768 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,598. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Los Angeles

GS-9 in Los Angeles questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Los Angeles?
    In 2026, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns $71,957 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $93,549. This is 36.47% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 in Los Angeles?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Los Angeles in 2026, it is 36.47%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,230 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Los Angeles?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $2,768 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.