GS Pay Calculator Austin, TX 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX locality area. Covers the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area including Williamson and Hays counties.
Austin, TX Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$104,294
$4,011/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$124,019
$4,770/biweekly
Locality Rate
+20.35%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Austin, TX Locality Pay in Context
The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX locality rate of 20.35% ranks #33 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a below-average locality rate. Federal employees here may find their pay stretches further due to lower cost of living. Rates range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area including Williamson and Hays counties.
Major federal employers in Austin, TX include IRS, VA, Army Futures Command, USPS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Austin, TX but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Austin, TX GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Austin, TX locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $41,881 | $43,277 | $44,673 | $46,069 | $47,465 | $48,861 | $50,257 | $51,653 | $53,049 | $54,445 |
| GS-7 | $51,878 | $53,608 | $55,337 | $57,066 | $58,796 | $60,525 | $62,255 | $63,984 | $65,714 | $67,443 |
| GS-9 | $63,457 | $65,573 | $67,688 | $69,804 | $71,920 | $74,036 | $76,151 | $78,267 | $80,383 | $82,499 |
| GS-11 | $76,777 | $79,337 | $81,897 | $84,457 | $87,017 | $89,577 | $92,136 | $94,696 | $97,256 | $99,816 |
| GS-12 | $92,023 | $95,091 | $98,159 | $101,226 | $104,294 | $107,362 | $110,430 | $113,497 | $116,565 | $119,633 |
| GS-13 | $109,428 | $113,076 | $116,724 | $120,372 | $124,019 | $127,667 | $131,315 | $134,963 | $138,611 | $142,259 |
| GS-14 | $129,311 | $133,622 | $137,933 | $142,244 | $146,555 | $150,866 | $155,177 | $159,488 | $163,799 | $168,110 |
| GS-15 | $152,103 | $157,173 | $162,244 | $167,314 | $172,385 | $177,455 | $182,525 | $187,596 | $192,666 | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Austin, TX Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TXBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+20.35%)
$30,006
Total Annual
$177,455
Biweekly
$6,825
Hourly: $85.03
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 60 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
How Austin, TX Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Austin, TX +20.35% | Dallas, TX +27.26% | Houston, TX +35.00% | San Antonio, TX +18.78% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $92,023 | $97,307 +$5,284 | $103,225 +$11,202 | $90,823 -$1,200 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $104,294 | $110,282 +$5,988 | $116,990 +$12,696 | $102,934 -$1,360 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $124,019 | $131,140 +$7,121 | $139,116 +$15,097 | $122,402 -$1,617 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $195,157 -$2,043 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Austin, TX.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Houston, TX earn $12,696 more per year than those in Austin, TX, while those in San Antonio, TX earn $1,360 less.
Career Salary Growth in Austin, TX
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Austin, TX locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Austin, TX Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,878 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $63,457 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $76,777 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $98,159 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $124,019 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $168,110 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Austin, TX
How much does a GS-12 make in Austin, TX in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX locality area earns between $92,023 (Step 1) and $119,633 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 20.35% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Austin, TX?
The Austin, TX locality pay adjustment is 20.35% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2035 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $104,294.
How does Austin, TX federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Austin, TX has a 20.35% locality rate. Nearby areas include Dallas, TX (27.26%), Houston, TX (35.00%), San Antonio, TX (18.78%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Austin, TX?
GS salaries in Austin, TX are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 20.35% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Which federal agencies have offices in Austin, TX?
Major federal employers in the Austin, TX area include IRS, VA, Army Futures Command, USPS. Covers the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area including Williamson and Hays counties.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Austin, TX area at 20.35% reflects the local cost of labor.