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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$62,893 GS-9 Step 1 in Tucson (2026)
$81,765 GS-9 Step 10 in Tucson (2026)
+$10,166 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-9 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 19.28% 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 $62,893 $2,418.96 $30.14 +$10,166
Step 2 $64,990 $2,499.62 $31.14 +$10,505
Step 3 $67,087 $2,580.27 $32.15 +$10,844
Step 4 $69,184 $2,660.92 $33.15 +$11,183
Step 5 $71,281 $2,741.58 $34.15 +$11,522
Step 6 $73,377 $2,822.19 $35.16 +$11,860
Step 7 $75,474 $2,902.85 $36.16 +$12,199
Step 8 $77,571 $2,983.50 $37.17 +$12,538
Step 9 $79,668 $3,064.15 $38.17 +$12,877
Step 10 $81,765 $3,144.81 $39.18 +$13,216

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $52,727
  • Tucson GS-9 Step 1 $62,893
  • Locality add-on +$10,166
  • Adjustment percent 19.28%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $68,549
  • Tucson GS-9 Step 10 $81,765

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 Tucson: what to expect

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

For 2026, the Tucson pay area adds a 19.28% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $2,419 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,145. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-9 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Tucson?
    In 2026, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $62,893 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $81,765. This is 19.28% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2026, it is 19.28%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,166 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $2,419 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.