Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC locality area. Covers the Hampton Roads region including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and parts of North Carolina. Major naval hub.
The Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC locality rate of 18.80% ranks #42 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is among the lowest locality rates. The tradeoff is that Virginia Beach, VA generally has a lower cost of living than higher-paying areas. Rates range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Hampton Roads region including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and parts of North Carolina. Major naval hub.
Major federal employers in Virginia Beach, VA include Navy (NAS Oceana, Norfolk), Joint Forces Command, VA, Coast Guard, NASA Langley. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Virginia Beach, VA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Virginia Beach, VA 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 | $41,341 | $42,719 | $44,097 | $45,475 | $46,854 | $48,232 | $49,610 | $50,988 | $52,366 | $53,744 |
| GS-7 | $51,210 | $52,917 | $54,624 | $56,331 | $58,039 | $59,746 | $61,453 | $63,160 | $64,867 | $66,574 |
| GS-9 | $62,640 | $64,728 | $66,817 | $68,905 | $70,994 | $73,082 | $75,171 | $77,259 | $79,348 | $81,436 |
| GS-11 | $75,788 | $78,315 | $80,842 | $83,369 | $85,896 | $88,423 | $90,950 | $93,477 | $96,003 | $98,530 |
| GS-12 | $90,838 | $93,866 | $96,894 | $99,923 | $102,951 | $105,979 | $109,007 | $112,036 | $115,064 | $118,092 |
| GS-13 | $108,019 | $111,620 | $115,221 | $118,821 | $122,422 | $126,023 | $129,624 | $133,225 | $136,826 | $140,426 |
| GS-14 | $127,646 | $131,901 | $136,157 | $140,412 | $144,668 | $148,923 | $153,178 | $157,434 | $161,689 | $165,945 |
| GS-15 | $150,144 | $155,149 | $160,154 | $165,159 | $170,164 | $175,169 | $180,174 | $185,180 | $190,185 | $195,190 |
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC locality area.
About GS Pay
| Position | Virginia Beach, VA +18.80% | Washington, DC +33.94% | Richmond, VA +22.28% | Raleigh, NC +22.24% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $90,838 | $102,415 +$11,577 | $93,499 +$2,661 | $93,468 +$2,630 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $102,951 | $116,071 +$13,120 | $105,967 +$3,016 | $105,932 +$2,981 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $122,422 | $138,024 +$15,602 | $126,008 +$3,586 | $125,967 +$3,545 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $195,190 | $197,200* +$2,010 | $197,200* +$2,010 | $197,200* +$2,010 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Virginia Beach, VA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Washington, DC earn $13,120 more per year than those in Virginia Beach, VA, while those in Raleigh, NC earn $2,981 more.
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Virginia Beach, VA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Virginia Beach, VA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,210 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $62,640 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $75,788 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $96,894 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $122,422 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $165,945 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Compare pay across all 58 locality areas.
Calculate your highest 3 consecutive years of pay for retirement.
Estimate your federal pension based on your high-3 salary.
Project your Thrift Savings Plan growth and withdrawals.
Estimate federal severance pay based on years of service.
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
A GS-12 in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC locality area earns between $90,838 (Step 1) and $118,092 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 18.80% locality adjustment applied.
The Virginia Beach, VA locality pay adjustment is 18.80% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1880 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $102,951.
Virginia Beach, VA has a 18.80% locality rate. Nearby areas include Washington, DC (33.94%), Richmond, VA (22.28%), Raleigh, NC (22.24%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
GS salaries in Virginia Beach, VA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 18.80% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $195,190, which is below the cap.
Major federal employers in the Virginia Beach, VA area include Navy (NAS Oceana, Norfolk), Joint Forces Command, VA, Coast Guard, NASA Langley. Covers the Hampton Roads region including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and parts of North Carolina. Major naval hub.
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 Virginia Beach, VA area at 18.80% reflects the local cost of labor.