GS Pay Scale by State, 2026

Every state at a glance

All 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2026: how many locality pay areas each contains, Rest of U.S. counted where some counties are outside every named area; GS-12 step 5 from the lowest- to the best-paid of them, and the best-paid area; the area where it buys the most at national average prices (BEA price level, U.S. = 100); and federal civilian jobs of every pay system, BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024, 2025, summed from its county rows with the jobs BLS reports without a county, so that each state’s figure is the sum of its section. A column heading sorts the table.

Alabama	4	$101,443 to $107,275	Atlanta, GA	Huntsville, AL, $113,510	56,756	2.68	−2.37
Alaska	1	$114,702	Alaska	Alaska, $112,059	14,839	4.46	−4.49
Arizona	4	$101,443 to $106,114	Phoenix, AZ	Tucson, AZ, $106,678	57,551	1.78	−2.75
Arkansas	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	21,239	1.63	−2.84
California	6	$101,443 to $126,817	San Jose, CA	San Jose, CA, $114,847	247,845	1.36	−2.52
Colorado	3	$101,443 to $113,107	Denver, CO	Denver, CO, $106,925	54,708	1.89	−4.17
Connecticut	3	$114,459 to $119,546	New York, NY	Hartford, CT, $111,400	17,964	1.06	−3.94
Delaware	1	$111,781	Philadelphia, PA	Philadelphia, PA, $108,997	6,584	1.37	−2.10
District of Columbia	1	$116,071	Washington, DC	Washington, DC, $106,601	185,546	25.02	−3.93
Florida	3	$101,443 to $108,038	Miami, FL	Palm Bay, FL, $102,192	158,329	1.60	−1.85
Georgia	2	$101,443 to $107,275	Atlanta, GA	Atlanta, GA, $107,213	110,574	2.26	−1.97
Hawaii	1	$105,906	Hawaii	Hawaii, $96,321	34,914	5.42	−2.15
Idaho	2	$101,443 to $101,972	Spokane, WA	Spokane, WA, $101,620	14,030	1.60	−3.11
Illinois	4	$101,443 to $113,402	Chicago, IL	Davenport, IA, $115,700	79,752	1.31	−3.12
Indiana	4	$101,443 to $113,402	Chicago, IL	Cincinnati, OH, $110,793	39,348	1.23	−2.94
Iowa	4	$101,443 to $103,064	Davenport, IA	Davenport, IA, $115,700	17,848	1.15	−2.86
Kansas	2	$101,443 to $103,098	Kansas City, MO	Kansas City, MO, $111,406	25,939	1.81	−3.62
Kentucky	2	$101,443 to $105,663	Cincinnati, OH	Cincinnati, OH, $110,793	35,226	1.77	−3.05
Louisiana	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	31,572	1.64	−2.99
Maine	2	$101,443 to $114,893	Boston, MA	Boston, MA, $106,121	17,231	2.65	−0.49
Maryland	3	$101,443 to $116,071	Washington, DC	Philadelphia, PA, $108,997	151,249	5.49	−6.46
Massachusetts	3	$104,658 to $114,893	Boston, MA	Hartford, CT, $111,400	44,689	1.23	−3.40
Michigan	2	$101,443 to $111,894	Detroit, MI	Detroit, MI, $111,562	55,759	1.26	−3.03
Minnesota	2	$101,443 to $110,594	Minneapolis, MN	Minneapolis, MN, $105,506	32,700	1.11	−2.40
Mississippi	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	26,501	2.26	−3.32
Missouri	3	$101,443 to $104,017	St. Louis, MO	Kansas City, MO, $111,406	54,850	1.89	−3.99
Montana	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	13,687	2.67	−4.20
Nebraska	2	$101,443 to $102,457	Omaha, NE	Omaha, NE, $111,474	16,907	1.66	−2.38
Nevada	4	$101,443 to $112,449	Sacramento, CA	Sacramento, CA, $105,418	22,037	1.40	−2.59
New Hampshire	2	$101,443 to $114,893	Boston, MA	Boston, MA, $106,121	8,884	1.29	−2.69
New Jersey	2	$111,781 to $119,546	New York, NY	Philadelphia, PA, $108,997	48,612	1.14	−2.87
New Mexico	2	$101,443 to $102,544	Albuquerque, NM	Albuquerque, NM, $107,324	28,434	3.25	−5.81
New York	5	$101,443 to $119,546	New York, NY	Buffalo, NY, $110,679	112,040	1.14	−3.51
North Carolina	4	$101,443 to $105,932	Raleigh, NC	Raleigh, NC, $107,921	80,997	1.64	−1.46
North Dakota	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	9,079	2.11	−2.84
Ohio	6	$101,443 to $105,923	Cleveland, OH	Dayton, OH, $113,514; within 1%: Cleveland, OH	82,101	1.48	−3.35
Oklahoma	2	$101,443 to $110,282	Dallas, TX	Dallas, TX, $106,976	52,190	3.07	−1.95
Oregon	2	$101,443 to $109,303	Portland, OR	Portland, OR, $103,682	28,284	1.42	−4.34
Pennsylvania	7	$101,443 to $119,546	New York, NY	Cleveland, OH, $112,776	100,990	1.67	−2.62
Rhode Island	1	$114,893	Boston, MA	Boston, MA, $106,121	11,509	2.30	−2.86
South Carolina	2	$101,443 to $103,705	Charlotte, NC	Charlotte, NC, $106,530	37,682	1.62	−0.93
South Dakota	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	11,380	2.47	−3.05
Tennessee	2	$101,443 to $105,646	Huntsville, AL	Huntsville, AL, $113,510	56,421	1.73	−2.95
Texas	7	$101,443 to $116,990	Houston, TX	Laredo, TX, $121,175	222,525	1.58	−0.90
Utah	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	40,234	2.31	−2.76
Vermont	3	$101,443 to $114,893	Boston, MA	Boston, MA, $106,121	6,747	2.19	−1.65
Virginia	4	$101,443 to $116,071	Washington, DC	Richmond, VA, $108,286	187,886	4.53	−2.87
Washington	4	$101,443 to $114,017	Seattle, WA	Portland, OR, $103,682	77,714	2.16	−2.54
West Virginia	3	$101,443 to $116,071	Washington, DC	Pittsburgh, PA, $110,787	25,638	3.69	−3.57
Wisconsin	4	$101,443 to $113,402	Chicago, IL	Chicago, IL, $109,467; within 1%: Milwaukee, WI	30,208	1.03	−3.69
Wyoming	1	$101,443	Rest of U.S.	—	7,811	2.77	−3.65

Why a state is not a pay area

The General Schedule knows nothing about states. It is built from 58 locality pay areas, and those are defined as lists of counties (OPM, 2026 locality pay area definitions).

Some of those areas cover parts of several states at once: the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington area reaches into 4 states and the District of Columbia, and a federal employee crossing from Maryland into Virginia inside it sees no change in pay. Others split a single state into pieces that are paid very differently: Pennsylvania contains 6 named areas plus the Rest of U.S. rate in its remaining counties.

Locality pay follows non-federal labor markets, and those vary far more inside a state than most people expect. A state containing both a major metropolitan labor market and a stretch of countryside will contain both a high-percentage area and the Rest of U.S. floor; the boundaries are county lists drawn to follow economic areas, so a county line can be a pay boundary with nothing on the ground to mark it. The regions where non-federal pay is high are usually also the ones where things cost more, which is why the summary table names the area where the salary goes furthest rather than the one that pays most.

So the sections below are a convenience, not a unit of the pay system: 38 states with more than one area, 4 states and the District of Columbia where one area covers the whole of it, and 8 with no named area at all. What decides pay is the county of the duty station (how that works); for a single address the calculator finds the area from a ZIP code.

Alabama

4 locality pay areas in Alabama, its 67 counties; 2,194 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Atlanta, GA	23.79%	$107,275	$107,213	694	Chambers County, Cherokee County, Cleburne County, Lee County, Randolph County, Russell County
Huntsville, AL	21.91%	$105,646	$113,510	22,680	Colbert County, DeKalb County, Lauderdale County, Lawrence County, Limestone County, Madison County, Marshall County, Morgan County
Birmingham, AL	18.24%	$102,466	$111,809	15,851	Bibb County, Blount County, Calhoun County, Chilton County, Clay County, Coosa County, Cullman County, Etowah County, Greene County, Hale County, Jefferson County, Pickens County, Shelby County, St. Clair County, Talladega County, Tallapoosa County, Tuscaloosa County, Walker County, Winston County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	15,337	all other counties of Alabama (34)

Alaska

All of Alaska is one locality pay area, at 32.36%: GS-12 step 5 is $114,702, worth $112,059 at national prices.

One locality pay area for the whole of Alaska.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Alaska	32.36%	$114,702	$112,059	14,839	the whole state

Arizona

4 locality pay areas in Arizona, its 15 counties; 2,158 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Phoenix, AZ	22.45%	$106,114	$102,708	23,975	Gila County, Maricopa County, Pinal County
Las Vegas, NV	19.57%	$103,618	$103,396	518	Mohave County
Tucson, AZ	19.28%	$103,367	$106,678	18,330	Cochise County, Pima County, Santa Cruz County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	12,570	all other counties of Arizona (8)

The 8 states with no named locality pay area

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming contain no designated locality pay area: in OPM’s 2026 definitions not one of their counties belongs to a named area, so every federal duty station in them is paid the Rest of U.S. rate, $101,443 at GS-12 step 5 (17.06% above the base table), and a move within them does not change federal pay.

Being outside a named area is not a statement about how rural a place is: Rest of U.S. covers many cities. Locality pay areas are defined by the President’s Pay Agent (5 U.S.C. 5304(f)(1)), on the recommendation of the Federal Salary Council and by its criteria, not by population. OPM published tables for 47 areas in 2016, 53 in 2019, 54 in 2021 and 58 from 2024; a county that joins a new area is then paid that area’s percentage, with no promotion or step increase involved (the Rest of U.S. table; Rest of U.S. against every named area).

The 8 states, their counties, all on the Rest of U.S. rate, and federal civilian jobs in 2025 (BLS QCEW).
State	Counties	Federal jobs, 2025
Arkansas	75	21,239
Louisiana	64	31,572
Mississippi	82	26,501
Montana	56	13,687
North Dakota	53	9,079
South Dakota	66	11,380
Utah	29	40,234
Wyoming	23	7,811

California

6 locality pay areas in California, its 58 counties; 9,710 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
San Jose, CA	46.34%	$126,817	$114,847	51,624	Alameda County, Calaveras County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Merced County, Monterey County, Napa County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Stanislaus County
Los Angeles, CA	36.47%	$118,264	$104,137	103,156	Imperial County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
San Diego, CA	33.72%	$115,880	$103,569	47,564	San Diego County
Sacramento, CA	29.76%	$112,449	$105,418	16,631	Alpine County, Amador County, Butte County, Colusa County, El Dorado County, Nevada County, Placer County, Sacramento County, Sierra County, Sutter County, Yolo County, Yuba County
Fresno, CA	17.65%	$101,954	$99,800	12,449	Fresno County, Kings County, Madera County, Mariposa County, Tulare County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	6,711	all other counties of California (15)

Colorado

3 locality pay areas in Colorado, its 64 counties; 901 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Denver, CO	30.52%	$113,107	$106,925	33,657	Adams County, Arapahoe County, Boulder County, Broomfield County, Clear Creek County, Denver County, Douglas County, Elbert County, Gilpin County, Jefferson County, Larimer County, Lincoln County, Park County, Weld County
Colorado Springs, CO	20.15%	$104,121	$103,390	14,882	El Paso County, Fremont County, Pueblo County, Teller County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	5,268	all other counties of Colorado (46)

Connecticut

3 locality pay areas in Connecticut, its 8 counties; 954 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county. In Connecticut BLS has counted by planning region rather than county since 2024, while OPM still draws its areas by the old counties: each region is counted in the area that holds most of its towns, and 4 of the 9 regions straddle two areas (how).
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
New York, NY	37.95%	$119,546	$106,204	8,410	Fairfield County, Litchfield County, New Haven County
Boston, MA	32.58%	$114,893	$106,121	182	Windham County
Hartford, CT	32.08%	$114,459	$111,400	8,418	Hartford County, Middlesex County, New London County, Tolland County

Delaware

All of Delaware is in the Philadelphia, PA locality pay area, at 28.99%: GS-12 step 5 is $111,781, worth $108,997 at national prices.

One locality pay area for all of Delaware, its 3 counties; 502 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Philadelphia, PA	28.99%	$111,781	$108,997	6,082	Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County

District of Columbia

All of the District of Columbia is in the Washington, DC locality pay area, at 33.94%: GS-12 step 5 is $116,071, worth $106,601 at national prices.

One locality pay area for the whole of the District of Columbia.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Washington, DC	33.94%	$116,071	$106,601	185,546	District of Columbia

Florida

3 locality pay areas in Florida, its 67 counties; 9,173 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Miami, FL	24.67%	$108,038	$94,641	38,925	Broward County, Indian River County, Martin County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Okeechobee County, Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County
Palm Bay, FL	17.93%	$102,197	$102,192	6,438	Brevard County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	103,793	all other counties of Florida (58)

Georgia

2 locality pay areas in Georgia, its 159 counties; 1,702 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Atlanta, GA	23.79%	$107,275	$107,213	63,657	Banks County, Barrow County, Bartow County, Butts County, Carroll County, Chattahoochee County, Cherokee County, Clarke County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Coweta County, Dawson County, DeKalb County, Douglas County, Elbert County, Fayette County, Floyd County, Forsyth County, Franklin County, Fulton County, Gilmer County, Gordon County, Greene County, Gwinnett County, Habersham County, Hall County, Haralson County, Harris County, Heard County, Henry County, Jackson County, Jasper County, Lamar County, Lumpkin County, Madison County, Marion County, Meriwether County, Morgan County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Oconee County, Oglethorpe County, Paulding County, Pickens County, Pike County, Polk County, Putnam County, Rabun County, Rockdale County, Spalding County, Stephens County, Stewart County, Talbot County, Taliaferro County, Troup County, Upson County, Walton County, White County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	45,215	all other counties of Georgia (101)

Hawaii

All of Hawaii is one locality pay area, at 22.21%: GS-12 step 5 is $105,906, worth $96,321 at national prices.

One locality pay area for the whole of Hawaii.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Hawaii	22.21%	$105,906	$96,321	34,914	the whole state

Idaho

2 locality pay areas in Idaho, its 44 counties; 608 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Spokane, WA	17.67%	$101,972	$101,620	832	Benewah County, Kootenai County, Shoshone County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	12,590	all other counties of Idaho (41)

Illinois

4 locality pay areas in Illinois, its 102 counties; 612 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Chicago, IL	30.86%	$113,402	$109,467	55,061	Boone County, Bureau County, Cook County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, Grundy County, Iroquois County, Kane County, Kankakee County, Kendall County, LaSalle County, Lake County, McHenry County, Ogle County, Putnam County, Stephenson County, Will County, Winnebago County
St. Louis, MO	20.03%	$104,017	$109,390	6,926	Bond County, Calhoun County, Clinton County, Fayette County, Greene County, Jersey County, Macoupin County, Madison County, Marion County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Randolph County, St. Clair County, Washington County
Davenport, IA	18.93%	$103,064	$115,700	5,476	Carroll County, Henry County, Lee County, Mercer County, Rock Island County, Whiteside County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	11,677	all other counties of Illinois (64)

Indiana

4 locality pay areas in Indiana, its 92 counties; 2,171 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Chicago, IL	30.86%	$113,402	$109,467	2,116	Jasper County, LaPorte County, Lake County, Newton County, Porter County, Starke County
Cincinnati, OH	21.93%	$105,663	$110,793	295	Dearborn County, Franklin County, Ohio County, Ripley County, Switzerland County, Union County
Indianapolis, IN	18.15%	$102,388	$106,993	20,862	Bartholomew County, Benton County, Blackford County, Boone County, Brown County, Carroll County, Clinton County, Decatur County, Delaware County, Fayette County, Fountain County, Grant County, Hamilton County, Hancock County, Hendricks County, Henry County, Jackson County, Jennings County, Johnson County, Lawrence County, Madison County, Marion County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Morgan County, Owen County, Putnam County, Randolph County, Rush County, Shelby County, Tippecanoe County, Tipton County, Warren County, Wayne County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	13,904	all other counties of Indiana (46)

Iowa

4 locality pay areas in Iowa, its 99 counties; 22 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Davenport, IA	18.93%	$103,064	$115,700	1,180	Cedar County, Clinton County, Jackson County, Louisa County, Muscatine County, Scott County
Omaha, NE	18.23%	$102,457	$111,474	351	Fremont County, Harrison County, Mills County, Pottawattamie County, Shelby County
Des Moines, IA	18.01%	$102,266	$111,521	8,348	Adair County, Boone County, Clarke County, Dallas County, Greene County, Guthrie County, Hamilton County, Jasper County, Lucas County, Madison County, Mahaska County, Marion County, Monroe County, Polk County, Poweshiek County, Story County, Warren County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	7,947	all other counties of Iowa (71)

Kansas

2 locality pay areas in Kansas, its 105 counties; 1,927 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Kansas City, MO	18.97%	$103,098	$111,406	12,307	Anderson County, Atchison County, Doniphan County, Douglas County, Franklin County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Leavenworth County, Linn County, Miami County, Osage County, Shawnee County, Wabaunsee County, Wyandotte County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	11,705	all other counties of Kansas (90)

Kentucky

2 locality pay areas in Kentucky, its 120 counties; 1,453 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Cincinnati, OH	21.93%	$105,663	$110,793	4,698	Boone County, Bracken County, Campbell County, Carroll County, Fleming County, Gallatin County, Grant County, Kenton County, Lewis County, Mason County, Owen County, Pendleton County, Robertson County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	29,075	all other counties of Kentucky (107)

Maine

2 locality pay areas in Maine, its 16 counties; 920 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Boston, MA	32.58%	$114,893	$106,121	10,484	Androscoggin County, Cumberland County, Sagadahoc County, York County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	5,827	all other counties of Maine (12)

Maryland

3 locality pay areas in Maryland, its 23 counties and 1 independent city; 1,618 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties and cities here
Washington, DC	33.94%	$116,071	$106,601	145,542	Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore city, Calvert County, Caroline County, Carroll County, Charles County, Dorchester County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Kent County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Queen Anne's County, St. Mary's County, Talbot County, Washington County
Philadelphia, PA	28.99%	$111,781	$108,997	4,029	Cecil County, Somerset County, Wicomico County, Worcester County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	60	all other counties of Maryland (1)

Massachusetts

3 locality pay areas in Massachusetts, its 14 counties; 1,183 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Boston, MA	32.58%	$114,893	$106,121	37,930	Barnstable County, Bristol County, Dukes County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Nantucket County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Suffolk County, Worcester County
Hartford, CT	32.08%	$114,459	$111,400	5,224	Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County
Albany, NY	20.77%	$104,658	$105,114	352	Berkshire County

Michigan

2 locality pay areas in Michigan, its 83 counties; 3,228 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Detroit, MI	29.12%	$111,894	$111,562	36,836	Clinton County, Eaton County, Genesee County, Huron County, Ingham County, Jackson County, Lapeer County, Lenawee County, Livingston County, Macomb County, Monroe County, Oakland County, Sanilac County, Shiawassee County, St. Clair County, Tuscola County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	15,695	all other counties of Michigan (65)

Minnesota

2 locality pay areas in Minnesota, its 87 counties; 1,943 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Minneapolis, MN	27.62%	$110,594	$105,506	25,389	Anoka County, Benton County, Blue Earth County, Brown County, Carver County, Chisago County, Dakota County, Dodge County, Fillmore County, Goodhue County, Hennepin County, Isanti County, Kanabec County, Le Sueur County, McLeod County, Meeker County, Mille Lacs County, Morrison County, Mower County, Nicollet County, Olmsted County, Pine County, Ramsey County, Rice County, Scott County, Sherburne County, Sibley County, Stearns County, Steele County, Wabasha County, Waseca County, Washington County, Wright County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	5,368	all other counties of Minnesota (54)

Missouri

3 locality pay areas in Missouri, its 114 counties and 1 independent city; 2,974 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties and cities here
St. Louis, MO	20.03%	$104,017	$109,390	16,952	Crawford County, Franklin County, Gasconade County, Iron County, Jefferson County, Lincoln County, Madison County, Montgomery County, Pike County, St. Charles County, St. Francois County, St. Louis County, St. Louis city, Ste. Genevieve County, Warren County, Washington County
Kansas City, MO	18.97%	$103,098	$111,406	20,543	Andrew County, Bates County, Buchanan County, Caldwell County, Carroll County, Cass County, Clay County, Clinton County, Daviess County, DeKalb County, Gentry County, Henry County, Holt County, Jackson County, Johnson County, Lafayette County, Platte County, Ray County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	14,381	all other counties of Missouri (81)

Nebraska

2 locality pay areas in Nebraska, its 93 counties; 702 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Omaha, NE	18.23%	$102,457	$111,474	9,238	Burt County, Cass County, Dodge County, Douglas County, Sarpy County, Saunders County, Washington County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	6,967	all other counties of Nebraska (86)

Nevada

4 locality pay areas in Nevada, its 16 counties and 1 independent city; 1,046 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties and cities here
Sacramento, CA	29.76%	$112,449	$105,418	707	Carson City, Douglas County
Las Vegas, NV	19.57%	$103,618	$103,396	14,869	Clark County, Nye County
Reno, NV	17.52%	$101,842	$100,820	4,610	Churchill County, Lyon County, Storey County, Washoe County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	805	all other counties of Nevada (9)

New Hampshire

2 locality pay areas in New Hampshire, its 10 counties; 185 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Boston, MA	32.58%	$114,893	$106,121	8,357	Belknap County, Carroll County, Cheshire County, Grafton County, Hillsborough County, Merrimack County, Rockingham County, Strafford County, Sullivan County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	342	all other counties of New Hampshire (1)

New Jersey

2 locality pay areas in New Jersey, its 21 counties; 2,018 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
New York, NY	37.95%	$119,546	$106,204	35,517	Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Hunterdon County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Ocean County, Passaic County, Somerset County, Sussex County, Union County, Warren County; and Fort Dix, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, McGuire Air Force Base
Philadelphia, PA	28.99%	$111,781	$108,997	11,077	Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Salem County

New Mexico

2 locality pay areas in New Mexico, its 33 counties; 644 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Albuquerque, NM	18.33%	$102,544	$107,324	17,698	Bernalillo County, Cibola County, Los Alamos County, McKinley County, Mora County, Rio Arriba County, San Miguel County, Sandoval County, Santa Fe County, Torrance County, Valencia County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	10,092	all other counties of New Mexico (22)

New York

5 locality pay areas in New York, its 62 counties; 3,397 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
New York, NY	37.95%	$119,546	$106,204	71,060	Bronx County, Dutchess County, Kings County, Nassau County, New York County, Orange County, Putnam County, Queens County, Richmond County, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Sullivan County, Ulster County, Westchester County
Buffalo, NY	22.41%	$106,079	$110,679	10,289	Allegany County, Cattaraugus County, Erie County, Niagara County, Wyoming County
Albany, NY	20.77%	$104,658	$105,114	7,414	Albany County, Columbia County, Fulton County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Montgomery County, Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, Schenectady County, Schoharie County, Warren County, Washington County
Rochester, NY	17.88%	$102,154	$105,275	4,857	Genesee County, Livingston County, Monroe County, Ontario County, Orleans County, Seneca County, Wayne County, Yates County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	15,023	all other counties of New York (23)

North Carolina

4 locality pay areas in North Carolina, its 100 counties; 6,810 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Raleigh, NC	22.24%	$105,932	$107,921	32,315	Caswell County, Chatham County, Cumberland County, Durham County, Edgecombe County, Franklin County, Granville County, Halifax County, Harnett County, Hoke County, Johnston County, Lee County, Moore County, Nash County, Northampton County, Orange County, Person County, Robeson County, Scotland County, Vance County, Wake County, Warren County, Wayne County, Wilson County
Charlotte, NC	19.67%	$103,705	$106,530	11,983	Alexander County, Anson County, Burke County, Cabarrus County, Caldwell County, Catawba County, Cleveland County, Gaston County, Iredell County, Lincoln County, Mecklenburg County, Rowan County, Stanly County, Union County
Virginia Beach, VA	18.80%	$102,951	$105,115	1,220	Camden County, Chowan County, Currituck County, Dare County, Gates County, Hertford County, Pasquotank County, Perquimans County, Tyrrell County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	28,669	all other counties of North Carolina (53)

Ohio

In Ohio, Cleveland, OH pays the most and buys within one percent of the most, Dayton, OH’s $113,514 at national prices: GS-12 step 5 runs from $101,443 in Rest of U.S. to $105,923 in Cleveland, OH.

6 locality pay areas in Ohio, its 88 counties; 4,004 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Cleveland, OH	22.23%	$105,923	$112,776	24,819	Ashland County, Ashtabula County, Carroll County, Columbiana County, Crawford County, Cuyahoga County, Erie County, Geauga County, Harrison County, Holmes County, Huron County, Lake County, Lorain County, Mahoning County, Medina County, Portage County, Richland County, Stark County, Summit County, Trumbull County, Tuscarawas County, Wayne County
Columbus, OH	22.15%	$105,854	$110,878	17,369	Coshocton County, Delaware County, Fairfield County, Fayette County, Franklin County, Guernsey County, Hardin County, Hocking County, Knox County, Licking County, Logan County, Madison County, Marion County, Morgan County, Morrow County, Muskingum County, Noble County, Perry County, Pickaway County, Pike County, Ross County, Union County, Vinton County
Cincinnati, OH	21.93%	$105,663	$110,793	10,080	Adams County, Brown County, Butler County, Clermont County, Clinton County, Hamilton County, Highland County, Warren County
Dayton, OH	21.42%	$105,221	$113,514	21,500	Allen County, Auglaize County, Champaign County, Clark County, Darke County, Greene County, Mercer County, Miami County, Montgomery County, Preble County, Shelby County, Van Wert County
Pittsburgh, PA	21.03%	$104,883	$110,787	287	Belmont County, Jefferson County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	4,042	all other counties of Ohio (21)

Oklahoma

2 locality pay areas in Oklahoma, its 77 counties; 530 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Dallas, TX	27.26%	$110,282	$106,976	222	Bryan County, Carter County, Love County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	51,438	all other counties of Oklahoma (74)

Oregon

2 locality pay areas in Oregon, its 36 counties; 437 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Portland, OR	26.13%	$109,303	$103,682	16,848	Benton County, Clackamas County, Columbia County, Linn County, Marion County, Multnomah County, Polk County, Washington County, Yamhill County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	10,999	all other counties of Oregon (27)

Pennsylvania

7 locality pay areas in Pennsylvania, its 67 counties; 3,883 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
New York, NY	37.95%	$119,546	$106,204	5,725	Carbon County, Lehigh County, Monroe County, Northampton County, Pike County, Wayne County
Washington, DC	33.94%	$116,071	$106,601	7,223	Adams County, Franklin County, Fulton County, York County
Philadelphia, PA	28.99%	$111,781	$108,997	39,510	Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Schuylkill County
Cleveland, OH	22.23%	$105,923	$112,776	224	Mercer County
Pittsburgh, PA	21.03%	$104,883	$110,787	20,284	Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Cambria County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County, Somerset County, Washington County, Westmoreland County
Harrisburg, PA	19.43%	$103,497	$104,913	11,953	Cumberland County, Dauphin County, Juniata County, Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Perry County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	12,188	all other counties of Pennsylvania (31)

Rhode Island

All of Rhode Island is in the Boston, MA locality pay area, at 32.58%: GS-12 step 5 is $114,893, worth $106,121 at national prices.

One locality pay area for all of Rhode Island, its 5 counties; 365 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Boston, MA	32.58%	$114,893	$106,121	11,144	Bristol County, Kent County, Newport County, Providence County, Washington County

South Carolina

2 locality pay areas in South Carolina, its 46 counties; 2,430 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Charlotte, NC	19.67%	$103,705	$106,530	805	Chester County, Chesterfield County, Lancaster County, York County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	34,447	all other counties of South Carolina (42)

Tennessee

2 locality pay areas in Tennessee, its 95 counties; 2,577 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Huntsville, AL	21.91%	$105,646	$113,510	95	Lincoln County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	53,749	all other counties of Tennessee (94)

Texas

7 locality pay areas in Texas, its 254 counties; 13,060 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Houston, TX	35.00%	$116,990	$118,616	34,222	Austin County, Brazoria County, Chambers County, Colorado County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Grimes County, Harris County, Jackson County, Liberty County, Madison County, Matagorda County, Montgomery County, San Jacinto County, Trinity County, Walker County, Waller County, Washington County, Wharton County
Dallas, TX	27.26%	$110,282	$106,976	50,192	Collin County, Cooke County, Dallas County, Delta County, Denton County, Ellis County, Fannin County, Grayson County, Henderson County, Hill County, Hood County, Hopkins County, Hunt County, Jack County, Johnson County, Kaufman County, Montague County, Navarro County, Palo Pinto County, Parker County, Rains County, Rockwall County, Somervell County, Tarrant County, Van Zandt County, Wise County
Laredo, TX	21.59%	$105,369	$121,175	4,440	Jim Hogg County, La Salle County, Webb County
Austin, TX	20.35%	$104,294	$106,351	14,076	Bastrop County, Blanco County, Burnet County, Caldwell County, Hays County, Lee County, Milam County, Travis County, Williamson County
San Antonio, TX	18.78%	$102,934	$108,676	38,799	Atascosa County, Bandera County, Bexar County, Comal County, Frio County, Gillespie County, Gonzales County, Guadalupe County, Karnes County, Kendall County, Kerr County, McMullen County, Medina County, Wilson County
Corpus Christi, TX	17.63%	$101,937	$109,999	6,538	Aransas County, Brooks County, Duval County, Jim Wells County, Kenedy County, Kleberg County, Live Oak County, Nueces County, Refugio County, San Patricio County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	61,198	all other counties of Texas (173)

Vermont

3 locality pay areas in Vermont, its 14 counties; 255 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Boston, MA	32.58%	$114,893	$106,121	1,461	Orange County, Windsor County
Burlington, VT	19.45%	$103,514	$102,541	4,037	Addison County, Chittenden County, Franklin County, Grand Isle County, Lamoille County, Washington County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	994	all other counties of Vermont (6)

Virginia

4 locality pay areas in Virginia, its 95 counties and 38 independent cities; 5,638 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties and cities here
Washington, DC	33.94%	$116,071	$106,601	94,754	Alexandria city, Arlington County, Caroline County, Clarke County, Culpeper County, Fairfax County, Fairfax city, Falls Church city, Fauquier County, Frederick County, Fredericksburg city, King George County, Loudoun County, Madison County, Manassas Park city, Manassas city, Orange County, Prince William County, Rappahannock County, Shenandoah County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, Warren County, Westmoreland County, Winchester city
Richmond, VA	22.28%	$105,967	$108,286	17,942	Amelia County, Brunswick County, Charles City County, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights city, Cumberland County, Dinwiddie County, Emporia city, Essex County, Goochland County, Greensville County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Hopewell city, King William County, King and Queen County, Louisa County, New Kent County, Nottoway County, Petersburg city, Powhatan County, Prince George County, Richmond city, Sussex County
Virginia Beach, VA	18.80%	$102,951	$105,115	59,438	Chesapeake city, Franklin city, Gloucester County, Hampton city, Isle of Wight County, James City County, Mathews County, Middlesex County, Newport News city, Norfolk city, Poquoson city, Portsmouth city, Southampton County, Suffolk city, Surry County, Virginia Beach city, Williamsburg city, York County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	10,114	all other counties (50) and independent cities (16) of Virginia

Washington

4 locality pay areas in Washington, its 39 counties; 2,821 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Seattle, WA	31.57%	$114,017	$102,595	58,208	Clallam County, Grays Harbor County, Island County, Jefferson County, King County, Kitsap County, Lewis County, Mason County, Pacific County, Pierce County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, Thurston County, Whatcom County
Portland, OR	26.13%	$109,303	$103,682	4,172	Clark County, Cowlitz County, Skamania County, Wahkiakum County
Spokane, WA	17.67%	$101,972	$101,620	5,503	Ferry County, Lincoln County, Pend Oreille County, Spokane County, Stevens County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	7,010	all other counties of Washington (15)

West Virginia

3 locality pay areas in West Virginia, its 55 counties; 1,389 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Washington, DC	33.94%	$116,071	$106,601	5,288	Berkeley County, Hampshire County, Hardy County, Jefferson County, Mineral County, Morgan County
Pittsburgh, PA	21.03%	$104,883	$110,787	503	Brooke County, Hancock County, Marshall County, Ohio County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	18,458	all other counties of West Virginia (45)

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, Chicago, IL pays the most, and what it buys is within one percent of Milwaukee, WI’s $109,440 at national prices, which this site counts as the same: GS-12 step 5 runs from $101,443 in Rest of U.S. to $113,402 in Chicago, IL, and in Chicago, IL the salary is worth $109,467.

4 locality pay areas in Wisconsin, its 72 counties; 2,080 more federal jobs BLS reports in the state without a county.
Locality pay area	Locality pay	GS-12 step 5	What it buys	Federal jobs, 2025	Counties here
Chicago, IL	30.86%	$113,402	$109,467	261	Kenosha County
Minneapolis, MN	27.62%	$110,594	$105,506	413	Pierce County, Polk County, St. Croix County
Milwaukee, WI	22.42%	$106,088	$109,440	11,387	Dodge County, Fond du Lac County, Jefferson County, Milwaukee County, Ozaukee County, Racine County, Sheboygan County, Walworth County, Washington County, Waukesha County
Rest of U.S.	17.06%	$101,443	—	16,067	all other counties of Wisconsin (58)

Sources

What these figures do not cover

The General Schedule, and only the General Schedule. Roughly a third of federal employees are paid from other systems: the Federal Wage System for trades and labor positions, the Senior Executive Service, Title 38 medical positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and several demonstration projects. Law enforcement officers at grades 3 to 10 are paid from a higher base table, many front-line law enforcement positions from OPM special rate tables (both on the law enforcement pay page), and special rate tables also cover occupations where recruitment is difficult. Every figure here is gross pay, before deductions; state income tax in particular can matter as much as the locality difference, and several states levy none at all.