GS-13 vs GS-14 Take Home Pay 2026
What's the real difference in your bank account? Here's the side-by-side breakdown after all federal deductions, using Rest of U.S. (17.06%) locality pay.
Step-by-Step Comparison: All 10 Steps
| Step | GS-13 Annual | GS-13 Net/PP | GS-14 Annual | GS-14 Net/PP | Net Diff/PP | Net Diff/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $106,437 | $2,632.85 | $125,776 | $3,044.30 | +$411.45 | +$10,698 |
| Step 2 | $109,985 | $2,708.33 | $129,969 | $3,133.51 | +$425.18 | +$11,055 |
| Step 3 | $113,533 | $2,783.82 | $134,162 | $3,222.72 | +$438.90 | +$11,411 |
| Step 4 | $117,081 | $2,859.31 | $138,356 | $3,311.74 | +$452.43 | +$11,763 |
| Step 5 | $120,629 | $2,934.79 | $142,549 | $3,398.03 | +$463.24 | +$12,044 |
| Step 6 | $124,177 | $3,010.28 | $146,742 | $3,484.32 | +$474.04 | +$12,325 |
| Step 7 | $127,725 | $3,085.76 | $150,935 | $3,570.60 | +$484.84 | +$12,606 |
| Step 8 | $131,273 | $3,161.25 | $155,128 | $3,656.89 | +$495.64 | +$12,887 |
| Step 9 | $134,822 | $3,236.76 | $159,321 | $3,743.18 | +$506.42 | +$13,167 |
| Step 10 | $138,370 | $3,312.03 | $163,514 | $3,829.46 | +$517.43 | +$13,453 |
All figures use Rest of U.S. locality pay (17.06%). Net pay estimated for single filer with standard assumptions.
Deduction Breakdown: Step 5
| Item | GS-13 | GS-14 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Biweekly | $4,639.58 | $5,482.65 | +$843.07 |
| FERS (4.4%) | $204.14 | $241.24 | +$37.10 |
| TSP (5% Traditional) | $231.98 | $274.13 | +$42.15 |
| FEHB (Self Only) | $126.29 | $126.29 | +$0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $279.82 | $332.09 | +$52.27 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $65.44 | $77.67 | +$12.23 |
| Federal Tax | $557.37 | $728.53 | +$171.16 |
| State Tax (DC) | $239.74 | $304.67 | +$64.93 |
| Total Deductions | $1,704.79 | $2,084.62 | +$379.83 |
| Net Biweekly | $2,934.79 | $3,398.03 | +$463.24 |
TSP Government Match Comparison
At 5% TSP contribution, both grades receive the maximum 5% government match. Here's what that means in dollars:
| Grade | Your 5% Contribution/PP | Agency Match/PP | Agency Match/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-13 Step 5 | $231.98 | $231.98 | $6,031 |
| GS-14 Step 5 | $274.13 | $274.13 | $7,127 |
The GS-14 receives $1,096/year more in free government matching contributions.
Comparison Across Localities (Step 5)
| Locality | GS-13 Net/PP | GS-14 Net/PP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington (33.94%) | $3,304.88 | $3,821.03 | +$516.15 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland (46.34%) | $3,568.76 | $4,125.02 | +$556.26 |
| New York-Newark (37.95%) | $3,444.12 | $3,998.20 | +$554.08 |
| Rest of U.S. (17.06%) | $3,174.54 | $3,702.70 | +$528.16 |
| Houston-The Woodlands (35.0%) | $3,621.88 | $4,216.97 | +$595.09 |
The grade-to-grade difference varies by locality because higher gross pay pushes you further into progressive tax brackets. State tax differences also play a role.
What Changes from GS-13 to GS-14?
GS-13 positions typically include supervisors, team leads, and senior subject matter experts. GS-14 positions typically include branch chiefs, senior managers, and top technical experts.
Gross Pay Increase
At Step 5 in Rest of U.S., the gross salary jumps from $120,629 to $142,549 — a $21,920/year increase (18.17% raise).
Net Pay Increase
After all deductions — FERS pension (4.4%), TSP (5%), FEHB, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%), and federal/state income tax — the actual take-home increase is $12,044/year, or about $463.24/pay period.
Why the Net Increase Is Smaller
Every dollar of additional gross pay faces marginal deductions. FERS and TSP are proportional (percentage-based), so they scale directly with pay. FICA taxes continue at the same rate until the $184,500 Social Security wage base is reached. Federal income tax is progressive — additional income may be taxed at a higher marginal rate. The combined marginal deduction rate for a typical GS employee in this range is roughly 35-45%, meaning only 55-65 cents of every additional gross dollar reaches your bank account.
Career Path Considerations
Moving from GS-13 to GS-14 typically requires either a competitive promotion or qualifying education/experience. Within-grade step increases (WGIs) happen automatically based on time in service and acceptable performance, but grade increases require a new position or classification change. The pay increase from a grade promotion generally exceeds several years of step increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does a GS-14 take home than a GS-13 in 2026?
At Step 5 with Rest of U.S. locality pay, a GS-14 takes home approximately $463.24 more per pay period ($12,044/year) than a GS-13 after all federal deductions including FERS, TSP, FEHB, FICA, and income taxes.
What is the gross salary difference between GS-13 and GS-14?
At Step 5 in Rest of U.S., GS-13 earns $120,629/year and GS-14 earns $142,549/year — a gross difference of $21,920/year. However, the net take-home difference is smaller due to higher deductions at the higher grade.
Why is the take-home pay difference smaller than the gross pay difference?
Higher gross pay means higher FERS pension contributions (4.4% of gross), higher TSP contributions in dollar terms, higher FICA taxes, and potentially higher federal income tax due to progressive brackets. Roughly 35-45% of additional gross pay goes to increased deductions.
How do I get promoted from GS-13 to GS-14?
Grade promotions typically require applying for and being selected for a higher-graded position, or being in a career ladder position where promotion is built into the position description. Unlike step increases (which are time-based), grade increases require meeting the qualifications for the higher grade.
Does locality pay affect the GS-13 to GS-14 difference?
Yes. Higher locality percentages increase the absolute dollar difference between grades because the locality adjustment is applied to a higher base salary at GS-14. However, the percentage difference between grades remains similar across localities.
More Comparisons
Estimate assumptions: Single filer, FERS-FRAE (4.4%), 5% Traditional TSP, average FEHB Self Only ($126.29/pp), no FEGLI.