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GS Pay Scale 2026 Florida: What Federal Employees in Florida Need to Know
The General Schedule (GS) pay scale for 2026 in Florida is based on the official Federal Pay Tables released by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As with all U.S. states, federal civilian salaries are determined by GS grade and step, and are further adjusted through locality pay depending on the employee’s official duty station.
In 2025, federal employees received a 2% general pay raise, with total compensation varying based on locality adjustments across Florida. For 2026, updated salary tables have now been published, reflecting the authorized federal pay structure and applicable locality percentages for the year.
If you are a federal employee working in Florida or planning to accept a federal position in the state this guide provides the complete 2026 Florida salary tables and explains how locality pay directly impacts your total annual compensation.
All figures below reflect official, locality-adjusted annual salaries effective January 2026.
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What Is the GS Pay Scale?
The General Schedule (GS) is the main pay system used by most civilian federal employees. It includes 15 grades (GS-1 to GS-15), each with 10 steps, allowing for salary increases over time and through promotions. 2025 gs pay scale increase.
The GS system includes:
- 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15)
- 10 steps within each grade
- Scheduled step increases based on time-in-service and performance
- Promotional increases when advancing to a higher grade
Each year, the OPM releases updated salary tables that account for:
A general across-the-board pay raise (if approved)
Locality pay adjustments based on regional cost of living
What Pay Raise Is Proposed for 2026?
For 2026, federal civilian employees under the General Schedule received a 1.0% across-the-board base pay increase, implemented through executive order and reflected in the official OPM salary tables effective January 2026. No additional locality percentage increases were approved; existing locality rates carried over from the prior year. This means total salary adjustments depend solely on the 1% base increase plus the employee’s applicable locality rate. While earlier legislative proposals suggested larger raises, the finalized and authorized adjustment for 2026 was limited to the 1% base pay increase.
You can check the offical gspay scale florida 2026 at SALARY TABLE 2026-MFL
What Pay Raise Was Proposed for 2025?
For the year 2025, a 2% general pay increase was proposed for all federal employees. This percentage affects the base pay across all GS grades.
However, final salaries are not uniform nationwide they are impacted by locality pay, which can significantly boost take-home pay depending on where an employee works.
How Does Locality Pay Work in Florida?
Locality pay is an additional percentage added to base GS salaries to reflect the cost of living in a particular region. The OPM designates locality pay areas, each with its own adjustment rate.
In Florida, most federal employees fall under the “Rest of the United States” (RUS) locality area. This rate includes many cities that are not part of a designated higher-cost locality area.
For 2025, the Rest of U.S. locality pay adjustment is 17.06%.
If you’re interested in comparing federal salaries beyond Florida, check out the GS pay scales for Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Denver for a broader perspective on federal pay structures.
Which Cities in Florida Use 'Rest of U.S.' Rates?
Federal workers in the following Florida cities (among others) will receive the Rest of U.S. locality rate:
- Jacksonville
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Pensacola
- Tallahassee
- Cape Coral
- Gainesville
- Saint Petersburg
- Lakeland
- Panama City
- Atlantic Beach
- Clearwater
- Mary Esther
- Milton
- Starke
- Valparaiso
Also read - gs pay scale 2026
2026 GS Pay Scale Table with Florida Locality Adjustment
Rest of U.S. (RUS)
The table below reflects full annual salaries for federal employees working in most Florida cities outside the Miami locality boundary.
These amounts represent total annual base pay with locality adjustment applied.
2026 GS Pay Scale Table with Florida Locality Adjustment
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Port St. Lucie (MFL)
Federal employees assigned to the Miami locality receive a higher locality percentage due to competitive regional wage comparisons.
*GS-15 Step 10 is capped at the Executive Schedule Level IV rate.
2025 GS Pay Scale Table with Florida Locality Adjustment (17.06%)
Here’s the 2025 GS pay table with the Rest of U.S. locality pay (17.06%) applied:
These figures include the 17.06% locality adjustment for the “Rest of U.S.” area.
Comparing Miami vs. Rest of Florida
Locality pay has a measurable impact on annual compensation.
For example:
- A GS-14 Step 1 in the Rest of U.S. earns $125,776
- A GS-14 Step 1 in Miami earns $133,953
That difference increases further at higher steps and compounds significantly over time.
Locality differences influence:
- Lifetime earnings
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions
- Overtime rates
- High-3 average salary calculations for retirement
For long-term federal employees, locality adjustments can materially affect pension outcomes.
How to Calculate Your 2026 Federal Salary
To determine your precise compensation under the 2026 GS system:
- Identify your grade (GS-1 to GS-15)
- Confirm your step (1–10)
- Verify your official duty station locality
To estimate your hourly rate:
Annual Salary ÷ 2,087 hours = Approximate Hourly Pay
This formula is commonly used for overtime calculations and salary comparisons.
Why the 2026 GS Pay Scale Is Important
Understanding updated federal pay tables is critical for informed financial planning. The 2026 adjustments affect:
- Retirement projections under FERS
- TSP contribution strategies
- Annual leave payout calculations
- Promotion timing decisions
- Agency transfer evaluations
Even modest annual adjustments can significantly impact cumulative earnings across a federal career
How Much Will I Make as a GS Employee in Florida?
Your exact salary will depend on your:
- GS grade
- Step level
- Location (locality pay area)
For example, a GS-9 Step 5 employee in Florida would earn approximately $69,259 under the 2025 pay scale with the 17.06% locality rate applied.
Summary
Federal employees in Florida should rely strictly on officially issued General Schedule (GS) pay tables when assessing compensation for 2025 and 2026.
For 2025, compensation was implemented with:
- A 2.0% government-wide general base pay increase
- A 17.06% locality pay adjustment for the Rest of U.S. locality area (covering most Florida duty stations)
For 2026, pay adjustments include:
- A 2.0% proposed general base pay increase
- A locality adjustment to be finalized and formally published
All compensation determinations are governed exclusively by the official tables released by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Employees must verify their assigned locality and step with their agency’s Human Resources office before making any financial or career decisions.
FAQ
1. How much will a GS-14 make in 2025 Miami?
A GS-14 employee in Miami (2025) will earn:
Step 1: $132,626 per year
Step 5: $150,310 per year
Step 10: $172,414 per year
(Full table: $132,626 – $172,414, depending on step.)
2. How much does a GS-9 make in Florida in 2025?
In Miami’s locality pay area (2025), a GS-9 earns:
Step 1: $65,084 per year
Step 5: $73,761 per year
Step 10: $84,607 per year
(Note: If the employee is in another Florida GS locality like Orlando or Tampa, pay will differ slightly.)
3. What is the hourly rate for GS-6 pay scale in 2025?
The GS-6 salary range in Miami (2025) is $47,882 – $62,244 per year.
Hourly rate (approx.) = Annual Salary ÷ 2,087 hours (standard federal work hours)
Step 1: $22.94/hour
Step 5: $26.00/hour
Step 10: $29.82/hour
(Exact hourly pay may vary slightly due to rounding.)
4. Is Florida considered high locality pay?
Miami’s locality pay (24.67%) is one of the highest in Florida, but not the highest in the U.S.
Comparison:
- Miami (24.67%) – High for Florida
- Orlando (19.40%) – Lower than Miami
- Rest of Florida (RUS, 16.82%) – Lower than major cities
- Highest in U.S.: San Francisco (45.41%), NYC (36.16%)
- Conclusion: Miami is above average but not among the top-tier high-locality areas like CA or NY.


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