2026 GS pay scale: what it means for your FERS High-3
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Published November 3, 2026 · By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last reviewed Nov 2026
Short answer: In 2026 General Schedule employees got a 1.0% across-the-board raise, and locality pay percentages stayed at 2025 levels, from 17.06% to 46.34% (Executive Order 14368, 90 FR 60521; OPM January 2026 Pay Schedules notice). The new rates started January 11, 2026, the first pay period of the year (OPM memo). Because locality pay counts as basic pay for retirement (5 U.S.C. 5304(c)), the raise flows straight into your FERS High-3 and your pension.
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The 2026 GS base table at a glance
These are Step 1 and Step 10 rates from OPM's 2026 base table, "Incorporating the 1% General Schedule Increase" (OPM 2026 GS table, PDF). Most employees are paid more than this because locality pay is added on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,799 | $45,239 |
| GS-7 | $43,106 | $56,039 |
| GS-9 | $52,727 | $68,549 |
| GS-11 | $63,795 | $82,938 |
| GS-12 | $76,463 | $99,404 |
| GS-13 | $90,925 | $118,204 |
| GS-14 | $107,446 | $139,684 |
| GS-15 | $126,384 | $164,301 |
All 15 grades and 58 locality tables are on OPM's 2026 General Schedule page.
Locality pay: two examples
| Locality area | 2026 locality payment | GS-12 Step 5 | GS-13 Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base table (no locality) | none | $86,659 | $103,049 |
| Rest of U.S. | 17.06% | $101,443 | $120,629 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington | 33.94% | $116,071 | $138,024 |
Sources: OPM 2026 GS, OPM 2026 RUS, OPM 2026 DCB. For comparison, GS-12 Step 5 on the 2025 base table was $85,802 (OPM 2025 GS table).
How the raise flows into your High-3
OPM defines High-3 as "the highest average basic pay you earned during any 3 consecutive years of service," usually your last three. Basic pay includes increases with retirement deductions withheld. It does not include overtime or bonuses (OPM: FERS Computation). Your locality rate is your scheduled rate increased by the locality percentage (OPM notice), so the 1% raise on the base table carries through to the locality rate you are actually paid.
In practice:
- Each year in your 3-year window counts equally. A 1% raise in 2026 lifts one-third of a High-3 that includes 2026.
- Step increases and promotions count too, because they change your basic pay.
- 2027 is different: the President's plan keeps 2027 GS base and locality pay at 2026 rates. See our 2027 pay raise update.
From High-3 to pension
OPM's FERS formula is 1% of High-3 for each year of service, or 1.1% if you are 62 or older at separation with at least 20 years (OPM: FERS Computation).
Illustration only, not your estimate: a High-3 of $101,443 (the 2026 Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 5 rate) with 30 years at 1% works out to $101,443 × 30 × 1% = $30,433 a year before survivor and other reductions. At 1.1% it would be $33,476. Learn more on What is High-3? and try your own numbers in our High-3 and pension calculator.
Sources
- Executive Order 14368, Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay, 90 FR 60521 (Dec 23, 2025)
- OPM: January 2026 Pay Schedules, Federal Register (Feb 3, 2026)
- OPM memo: January 2026 Pay Adjustments
- OPM: 2026 General Schedule salary tables
- OPM: FERS Computation (High-3)
Questions and answers
How much was the 2026 federal pay raise?
Executive Order 14368 gave General Schedule employees a 1.0% across-the-board increase for 2026, and locality pay percentages stayed at 2025 levels.
When did the 2026 GS pay rates take effect?
OPM says the 2026 rates took effect on the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026, which was January 11, 2026.
Does locality pay count toward my High-3?
Yes. OPM says High-3 uses basic pay, which includes increases with retirement deductions withheld. By law (5 U.S.C. 5304(c)), locality pay counts as basic pay for retirement. Overtime and bonuses are not.
How is the FERS pension calculated from High-3?
OPM says the basic FERS annuity is 1% of High-3 for each year of service, or 1.1% if you are 62 or older at separation with at least 20 years.