The classification and pay system that covers the majority of federal civilian employees in professional, technical, administrative, and clerical positions. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers the GS classification standards, qualifications, pay structure, and related human resource policies for the federal government. The GS scale has 15 salary grades, ranging from the lowest, GS-1, to the highest, GS-15. Federal agencies set the grade for each job based on the level of difficulty, responsibility, and qualifications required.

Each grade includes ten salary steps (from 1-10) that differ by approximately 3% increments. Federal employees with acceptable performance ratings may receive within-grade step increases on a regular schedule. Most GS employees are also entitled to locality pay, a geographically-based compensation adjustment intended to bring federal workers’ pay closer to the market pay rates in certain geographic areas.

The OPM publishes GS grades, steps, and locality pay rates annually on its website.