GS-5 Pay — Raleigh-Durham (2026)
This page shows GS-5 pay in the Raleigh-Durham locality pay area for 2026. The Raleigh-Durham area adds 22.24% in locality pay on top of the GS-5 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $42,538 | $20.38 | $1,630.40 |
| Step 2 | $43,956 | $21.06 | $1,684.80 |
| Step 3 | $45,374 | $21.74 | $1,739.20 |
| Step 4 | $46,792 | $22.42 | $1,793.60 |
| Step 5 | $48,210 | $23.10 | $1,848.00 |
| Step 6 | $49,628 | $23.78 | $1,902.40 |
| Step 7 | $51,046 | $24.46 | $1,956.80 |
| Step 8 | $52,464 | $25.14 | $2,011.20 |
| Step 9 | $53,882 | $25.82 | $2,065.60 |
| Step 10 | $55,300 | $26.50 | $2,120.00 |
Locality pay is calculated as the base rate multiplied by one plus the locality percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Check another grade, step or locality
| Base pay (before locality) | $39,439 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC locality | 22.24% |
| Adjusted annual | $48,210 |
| Per month | $4,018 |
| Bi-weekly | $1,848.00 |
| Hourly | $23.10 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Raleigh-Durham GS scale
- GS-5 in every locality
- GS-4 in Raleigh-Durham
- GS-6 in Raleigh-Durham
- GS-5 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-5 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-5 in New York-Newark
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-5 make in Raleigh-Durham?
For 2026, GS-5 in Raleigh-Durham ranges from $42,538 at the first step to $55,300 at the top step, with $48,210 near the middle.
How is Raleigh-Durham locality pay calculated?
The GS-5 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Raleigh-Durham locality percentage of 22.24%, then rounded to the nearest dollar.
What is the 2026 raise?
For 2026, the across-the-board base rate rose while locality percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so the Raleigh-Durham rate remained 22.24%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-5 figures for Raleigh-Durham are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-RA · effective January 11, 2026 · Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC, 22.24% locality. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.