1. What is the GS Pay Calculator?

The GS (General Schedule) Pay Calculator estimates adjusted federal employee pay by applying locality adjustments to base pay rates. The 2025 version uses the latest locality pay percentages.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GS pay formula:

Where:

• \( Base\ Pay \) — The standard GS pay rate for the grade and step
• \( Locality\ Adjustment \) — Geographic pay adjustment percentage

Explanation: The formula accounts for cost of living differences across geographic areas.

3. Importance of Locality Adjustments

Details: Locality pay helps federal salaries remain competitive with private sector wages in specific geographic areas, ranging from 16% to 42% of base pay.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter base pay in dollars and locality adjustment as a percentage (e.g., enter 16.5 for 16.5%). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find official GS pay tables?
A: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes complete pay tables at opm.gov.

Q2: How often are locality rates updated?
A: Locality rates are typically adjusted annually, with changes effective in January.

Q3: Are all federal employees covered by locality pay?
A: Most GS employees receive locality pay, but some special categories (like overseas employees) have different pay systems.

Q4: What's the difference between base pay and adjusted pay?
A: Base pay is determined by grade and step; adjusted pay includes the locality adjustment.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator for actual paychecks?
A: This provides an estimate; actual pay may differ due to deductions, bonuses, or special pay rates.