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US federal government jobs, with GS pay made simple
Live federal vacancies sourced from USAJobs, plus a plain-English guide to how General Schedule (GS) pay works. Score your CV against any role before you apply.
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How General Schedule (GS) pay works
15 grades
Roles are graded GS-1 (entry) to GS-15 (senior). Your grade reflects the job's responsibility and the qualifications it requires.
10 steps each
Within a grade you progress through 10 steps over time, so two people on the same grade can sit at different salaries.
Locality on top
A locality adjustment is added to base pay based on where the job is — often 15-45% more in high-cost metros.
In 2025, GS base pay ran from roughly $22,500 at GS-1 up to a cap of about $165,800 at the top of GS-15, before locality pay. For exact, current figures by grade and step, see the official OPM salary tables .
How does General Schedule (GS) pay work?
Most US federal white-collar roles are paid on the General Schedule: 15 grades (GS-1 to GS-15), each with 10 steps. Your grade reflects the role's responsibility and required qualifications; you move up the steps over time. On top of base pay, a locality adjustment is added based on where the job is located.
What is the GS pay range?
In 2025, GS base pay ran from roughly $22,500 at GS-1 up to a cap of about $165,800 at the top of GS-15, before locality pay. Locality adjustments then add a significant amount on top — commonly 15-45% depending on the metro area. For exact, current figures always check the official OPM salary tables.
What is locality pay?
Locality pay is a percentage added to GS base salary to reflect local labour costs. It varies widely by area — lowest in the 'Rest of US' locality and highest in expensive metros like San Francisco and Washington, DC. The same grade and step can therefore pay noticeably more in a high-cost city.
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