Federal Employee Take Home Pay in Baltimore 2026
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Locality Pay Area — how much GS employees actually bring home
GS Take Home Pay in Baltimore — 2026
Estimated net pay for selected grades and steps at the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality rate (33.94%). All gross salary figures from OPM 2026 pay tables.
| Grade / Step | Annual Salary | Gross / PP | Est. Net / PP | Est. Net / Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 Administrative Assistant, Clerk, Technician | ||||
| Step 1 | $46,610 | $1,792.69 | $1,210.04 | $31,461 |
| Step 5 | $52,825 | $2,031.73 | $1,372.03 | $35,673 |
| Step 10 | $60,593 | $2,330.50 | $1,574.53 | $40,938 |
| GS-7 Recent Graduate, Entry-Level Professional | ||||
| Step 1 | $57,736 | $2,220.62 | $1,500.05 | $39,001 |
| Step 5 | $65,435 | $2,516.73 | $1,700.74 | $44,219 |
| Step 10 | $75,059 | $2,886.88 | $1,951.61 | $50,742 |
| GS-9 Mid-Level Professional, Analyst | ||||
| Step 1 | $70,623 | $2,716.27 | $1,835.98 | $47,735 |
| Step 5 | $80,041 | $3,078.50 | $2,070.96 | $53,845 |
| Step 10 | $91,815 | $3,531.35 | $2,336.86 | $60,758 |
| GS-11 Senior Analyst, Program Specialist | ||||
| Step 1 | $85,447 | $3,286.42 | $2,193.05 | $57,019 |
| Step 5 | $96,843 | $3,724.73 | $2,450.39 | $63,710 |
| Step 10 | $111,087 | $4,272.58 | $2,772.07 | $72,074 |
| GS-12 Senior Specialist, Team Lead | ||||
| Step 1 | $102,415 | $3,939.04 | $2,576.24 | $66,982 |
| Step 5 | $116,071 | $4,464.27 | $2,884.63 | $75,000 |
| Step 10 | $133,142 | $5,120.85 | $3,268.71 | $84,986 |
| GS-13 Supervisory, Senior Technical | ||||
| Step 1 | $121,785 | $4,684.04 | $3,013.22 | $78,344 |
| Step 5 | $138,024 | $5,308.62 | $3,378.53 | $87,842 |
| Step 10 | $158,322 | $6,089.31 | $3,819.80 | $99,315 |
| GS-14 Branch Chief, Senior Manager | ||||
| Step 1 | $143,913 | $5,535.12 | $3,506.91 | $91,180 |
| Step 5 | $163,104 | $6,273.23 | $3,923.63 | $102,014 |
| Step 10 | $187,093 | $7,195.88 | $4,443.15 | $115,522 |
| GS-15 Division Director, Senior Executive Staff | ||||
| Step 1 | $169,279 | $6,510.73 | $4,057.69 | $105,500 |
| Step 5 | $191,850 | $7,378.85 | $4,546.02 | $118,197 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $4,661.69 | $121,204 |
Baltimore vs Rest of U.S. — Net Pay Comparison
How Baltimore (33.94% locality) compares to Rest of U.S. (17.06% locality) at Step 5. RUS column uses no state tax for a fair base comparison.
| Grade | Baltimore Annual | Baltimore Net/PP | RUS Annual | RUS Net/PP | Net Difference/PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $52,825 | $1,372.03 | $46,167 | $1,262.22 | +$109.81 |
| GS-7 | $65,435 | $1,700.74 | $57,188 | $1,567.75 | +$132.99 |
| GS-9 | $80,041 | $2,070.96 | $69,954 | $1,921.66 | +$149.30 |
| GS-11 | $96,843 | $2,450.39 | $84,638 | $2,302.20 | +$148.19 |
| GS-12 | $116,071 | $2,884.63 | $101,443 | $2,709.52 | +$175.11 |
| GS-13 | $138,024 | $3,378.53 | $120,629 | $3,174.54 | +$203.99 |
| GS-14 | $163,104 | $3,923.63 | $142,549 | $3,702.70 | +$220.93 |
| GS-15 | $191,850 | $4,546.02 | $167,672 | $4,294.11 | +$251.91 |
Understanding Baltimore Locality Pay
Federal employees in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay area receive a 33.94% locality adjustment on top of the base GS pay table. This means a GS-12 Step 1 base salary of $76,463 becomes $102,415 with the locality adjustment.
Locality pay is authorized under 5 U.S.C. §5304 and is intended to reduce the gap between federal and private-sector pay in specific geographic areas. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. For 2026, locality percentages were frozen at 2025 levels, with a 1% across-the-board base pay increase applied.
Cost of Living Context
Baltimore is part of the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington locality pay area, sharing the 33.94% locality adjustment with the DC metro. Maryland imposes a graduated state income tax (2%–6.5%), plus county income taxes typically ranging from 2.25% to 3.20% (county taxes are not included in this calculator's V1 estimates). Baltimore's housing costs are notably lower than the DC suburbs, giving Baltimore-based federal employees stronger purchasing power despite the same locality rate. The city has significant federal presence, particularly in healthcare and defense.
Typical Federal Agencies
SSA Headquarters (Woodlawn), CMS, VA Maryland, NIH satellite, Fort Meade/NSA (nearby), USPS.
State Tax: Maryland
Maryland has a graduated income tax with rates up to 6.50%. Note: State rate only. MD also has county income taxes (typically 2.25%-3.20%) which are NOT included in V1. Federal employees pay state income tax based on their state of residence, not their duty station. The net pay estimates on this page assume Maryland residency. Use the full calculator to select your actual state.
What Affects Your Take Home Pay in Baltimore
Your net pay is determined by a chain of deductions applied to your gross biweekly salary. Here is how each one works:
FERS Pension Contribution
You contribute 0.8% (FERS), 3.1% (FERS-RAE), or 4.4% (FERS-FRAE) of gross pay depending on your hire date. This is deducted pre-tax from federal taxable income but does NOT reduce FICA wages. Authority: 5 U.S.C. §8422.
TSP (Thrift Savings Plan)
Traditional TSP contributions are pre-tax, reducing your federal taxable income. Roth TSP contributions are after-tax and do NOT reduce taxable income. The government matches: 1% automatic + dollar-for-dollar on first 3% + 50¢ per dollar on next 2%. Contribute at least 5% to maximize the match. 2026 limit: $24,500. Authority: 5 U.S.C. §8432(c).
FEHB Health Insurance
Under Premium Conversion (the default), FEHB premiums reduce both federal taxable income AND FICA wages — this is different from FERS and TSP. Your premium depends on the plan you choose. Authority: 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89.
FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $184,500. Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ). FICA wages = Gross minus FEHB only. Authority: 26 U.S.C. §3101.
Federal Income Tax
2026 rates per the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21): 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. Standard deduction: $16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ / $24,150 HoH. Source: IRS Rev Proc 2025-32.
State Income Tax
Maryland has a graduated income tax with rates up to 6.50%. Note: State rate only. MD also has county income taxes (typically 2.25%-3.20%) which are NOT included in V1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the locality pay percentage for Baltimore in 2026?
The Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay area has a 33.94% locality adjustment for 2026. This means federal employees in this area earn 33.94% more than the base GS pay table. Locality percentages were frozen at 2025 levels per Executive Order 14368, with a 1% across-the-board base pay increase applied.
How much does a GS-12 take home in Baltimore?
A GS-12 Step 5 in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality area earns $116,071 annually. After FERS (4.4%), TSP (5%), FEHB, Social Security, Medicare, federal tax, and state tax, estimated take-home pay is approximately $2,884.63 per pay period ($75,000 annually). Actual take-home varies based on your specific deductions and elections.
How does Baltimore federal pay compare to Rest of U.S.?
The Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA area has a 33.94% locality adjustment compared to 17.06% for Rest of U.S. For a GS-12 Step 5, this means $116,071 vs $101,443 annually — a difference of $14,628 in gross pay. Net pay differences are smaller due to higher taxes on higher income.
What state taxes apply to federal employees in Baltimore?
Maryland has a graduated income tax with rates up to 6.50%. Note: State rate only. MD also has county income taxes (typically 2.25%-3.20%) which are NOT included in V1. Federal employees pay state income tax based on their state of residence, not their duty station. FEHB premiums are deducted pre-tax under Premium Conversion, reducing both federal and FICA taxable wages.
What federal agencies are in Baltimore?
Major federal agencies and installations in the Baltimore area include: SSA Headquarters (Woodlawn), CMS, VA Maryland, NIH satellite, Fort Meade/NSA (nearby), USPS. Federal employees at all these locations receive the 33.94% locality adjustment.