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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$63,815 GS-9 Step 1 in Pittsburgh (2026)
$82,965 GS-9 Step 10 in Pittsburgh (2026)
+$11,088 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-9 pay table for Pittsburgh

Each step below already includes the 21.03% 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 $63,815 $2,454.42 $30.58 +$11,088
Step 2 $65,943 $2,536.27 $31.60 +$11,458
Step 3 $68,071 $2,618.12 $32.62 +$11,828
Step 4 $70,199 $2,699.96 $33.64 +$12,198
Step 5 $72,326 $2,781.77 $34.66 +$12,567
Step 6 $74,454 $2,863.62 $35.68 +$12,937
Step 7 $76,582 $2,945.46 $36.69 +$13,307
Step 8 $78,709 $3,027.27 $37.71 +$13,676
Step 9 $80,837 $3,109.12 $38.73 +$14,046
Step 10 $82,965 $3,190.96 $39.75 +$14,416
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Pittsburgh pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $52,727
  • Pittsburgh GS-9 Step 1 $63,815
  • Locality add-on +$11,088
  • Adjustment percent 21.03%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $68,549
  • Pittsburgh GS-9 Step 10 $82,965

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 Pittsburgh: what to expect

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

For 2026, the Pittsburgh pay area adds a 21.03% 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 Pittsburgh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $2,454 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,191. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Pittsburgh

GS-9 in Pittsburgh questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Pittsburgh?
    In 2026, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns $63,815 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $82,965. This is 21.03% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 in Pittsburgh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Pittsburgh in 2026, it is 21.03%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,088 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Pittsburgh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $2,454 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.