GS-5 vs GS-7 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-5 Annual | GS-5 Net/PP | GS-7 Annual | GS-7 Net/PP | Net Diff/PP | Net Diff/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $40,736 | $1,073.72 | $50,460 | $1,322.97 | +$249.25 | +$6,480 |
| Step 2 | $42,094 | $1,108.53 | $52,142 | $1,366.08 | +$257.55 | +$6,696 |
| Step 3 | $43,452 | $1,143.34 | $53,824 | $1,409.19 | +$265.85 | +$6,912 |
| Step 4 | $44,809 | $1,178.12 | $55,506 | $1,452.30 | +$274.18 | +$7,129 |
| Step 5 | $46,167 | $1,212.93 | $57,188 | $1,495.41 | +$282.48 | +$7,345 |
| Step 6 | $47,525 | $1,247.74 | $58,871 | $1,538.55 | +$290.81 | +$7,561 |
| Step 7 | $48,883 | $1,282.54 | $60,553 | $1,581.66 | +$299.12 | +$7,777 |
| Step 8 | $50,241 | $1,317.35 | $62,235 | $1,624.78 | +$307.43 | +$7,993 |
| Step 9 | $51,599 | $1,352.16 | $63,917 | $1,667.74 | +$315.58 | +$8,205 |
| Step 10 | $52,957 | $1,386.97 | $65,599 | $1,710.56 | +$323.59 | +$8,413 |
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-5 | GS-7 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Biweekly | $1,775.65 | $2,199.54 | +$423.89 |
| FERS (4.4%) | $78.13 | $96.78 | +$18.65 |
| TSP (5% Traditional) | $88.78 | $109.98 | +$21.20 |
| FEHB (Self Only) | $126.29 | $126.29 | +$0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $102.26 | $128.54 | +$26.28 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $23.92 | $30.06 | +$6.14 |
| Federal Tax | $94.05 | $140.14 | +$46.09 |
| State Tax (DC) | $49.29 | $72.34 | +$23.05 |
| Total Deductions | $562.72 | $704.12 | +$141.40 |
| Net Biweekly | $1,212.93 | $1,495.41 | +$282.48 |
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-5 Step 5 | $88.78 | $88.78 | $2,308 |
| GS-7 Step 5 | $109.98 | $109.98 | $2,859 |
The GS-7 receives $551/year more in free government matching contributions.
Comparison Across Localities (Step 5)
| Locality | GS-5 Net/PP | GS-7 Net/PP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington (33.94%) | $1,383.58 | $1,706.38 | +$322.80 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland (46.34%) | $1,535.13 | $1,886.89 | +$351.76 |
| New York-Newark (37.95%) | $1,416.57 | $1,751.74 | +$335.17 |
| Rest of U.S. (17.06%) | $1,262.22 | $1,567.75 | +$305.53 |
| Houston-The Woodlands (35.0%) | $1,458.39 | $1,810.74 | +$352.35 |
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-5 to GS-7?
GS-5 positions typically include entry-level technicians, clerks, and administrative assistants. GS-7 positions typically include entry-level professionals with bachelor's degrees or one year of graduate study.
Gross Pay Increase
At Step 5 in Rest of U.S., the gross salary jumps from $46,167 to $57,188 — a $11,021/year increase (23.87% 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 $7,345/year, or about $282.48/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-5 to GS-7 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-7 take home than a GS-5 in 2026?
At Step 5 with Rest of U.S. locality pay, a GS-7 takes home approximately $282.48 more per pay period ($7,345/year) than a GS-5 after all federal deductions including FERS, TSP, FEHB, FICA, and income taxes.
What is the gross salary difference between GS-5 and GS-7?
At Step 5 in Rest of U.S., GS-5 earns $46,167/year and GS-7 earns $57,188/year — a gross difference of $11,021/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-5 to GS-7?
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-5 to GS-7 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-7. 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.