GS Pay Calculator (2025 Estimator)
Choose your grade, step, and locality adjustment to estimate annual and paycheck-level earnings.
How to use this GS pay calculator 2025
This tool gives a fast estimate of General Schedule earnings for federal employees and job seekers. Pick your GS grade, step, and locality percentage, then add any annual adjustment you want to include. You can also estimate overtime pay per pay period.
- Grade + Step estimates your base annual salary.
- Locality % adjusts that base to reflect your duty station area.
- Adjustments adds flat annual amounts (optional).
- Overtime estimates additional earnings using hourly rate × multiplier × hours.
What assumptions this calculator uses
To keep the tool simple and fast, this page uses a 2025 estimation model:
- Grade step-1 amounts are estimated from prior-year base values with a 2025 uplift.
- Step progression is modeled at roughly 3% per step from step 1.
- Hourly rate uses 2,087 work hours per federal payroll year.
- Biweekly pay is annual divided by 26 pay periods.
Always verify final numbers against the official OPM GS pay tables and your agency payroll guidance.
Estimated 2025 GS base pay (Step 1 quick reference)
| Grade | Step 1 (Estimated Annual Base) | Grade | Step 1 (Estimated Annual Base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,706 | GS-9 | $53,061 |
| GS-2 | $25,517 | GS-10 | $58,419 |
| GS-3 | $27,812 | GS-11 | $64,239 |
| GS-4 | $31,312 | GS-12 | $77,005 |
| GS-5 | $35,022 | GS-13 | $91,524 |
| GS-6 | $38,981 | GS-14 | $108,510 |
| GS-7 | $43,441 | GS-15 | $127,636 |
| GS-8 | $48,076 | — | — |
Understanding GS pay in 2025
1) Grade
Grade reflects position responsibility and qualification level. Higher grades generally mean higher salary ranges and greater complexity in job duties.
2) Step
Step reflects progression within a grade. As you advance through steps, your base salary increases over time through within-grade progression rules.
3) Locality pay
Locality pay helps keep federal compensation more competitive in different labor markets. In high-cost metro areas, locality percentages may be significantly higher than the Rest of U.S. rate.
4) Overtime and extras
Overtime eligibility and overtime calculations vary by role and agency policy. This calculator provides a straightforward estimate, not a payroll determination.
Example scenario
Suppose you are GS-11 Step 5 with a 17% locality adjustment and no extra annual adjustments. This calculator will estimate your base salary, locality-adjusted salary, monthly and biweekly equivalents, and your estimated hourly rate. If you add overtime hours, it also shows annualized overtime and total estimated compensation.
Tips for better pay planning
- Run multiple locality scenarios if relocation is possible.
- Compare grade-step outcomes before accepting a new federal offer.
- Estimate biweekly impact, not just annual salary, for budget planning.
- Track when you are eligible for step increases.
- Use this estimate as a planning tool, then confirm with official payroll data.
FAQ
Is this an official OPM calculator?
No. It is an independent estimate tool for quick planning and comparison.
Does this include special rates, LEAP, or premium pay caps?
Not directly. If needed, you can approximate those with the “Additional Annual Adjustments” field, then validate with your agency.
Why might my actual paycheck differ?
Payroll withholding, retirement contributions, FEHB, TSP deductions, pay caps, and agency-specific rules can all affect final pay.
Bottom line
A good GS pay calculator helps you make clearer career and budgeting decisions. Use this page to model your 2025 estimate quickly, then cross-check official OPM tables and your HR office for exact numbers.