2026 Federal Pay Raise: 1.0% Base
The 2026 federal pay raise increased General Schedule base rates by 1.0% and military basic pay by 3.8%, effective January 11, 2026. Locality pay percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so only the base schedule rose.
| 2026 adjustment | Change |
|---|---|
| GS base pay (across-the-board) | 1.0% |
| GS locality percentages | frozen |
| Military basic pay | 3.8% |
What it means for a GS-12
A GS-12 Step 5 is $101,443 in the Rest of U.S. area and $116,071 in the Washington-Baltimore area for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 2026 federal pay raise?
For 2026, General Schedule base pay rose by 1.0% and military basic pay rose by 3.8%.
When does the 2026 raise take effect?
The 2026 pay raise is effective January 11, 2026.
Did locality pay increase for 2026?
No. Locality percentages were frozen at their prior-year levels for 2026, and the 1.0% increase applied to the base schedule only.
Do the civilian and military raises differ?
Yes. For 2026, the General Schedule base raise is 1.0% while the military basic pay raise is 3.8%, both effective January 11, 2026.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-GS · effective January 11, 2026. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.