GS-9 vs GS-11 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-9 Annual | GS-9 Net/PP | GS-11 Annual | GS-11 Net/PP | Net Diff/PP | Net Diff/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $61,722 | $1,611.63 | $74,678 | $1,941.69 | +$330.06 | +$8,582 |
| Step 2 | $63,780 | $1,664.25 | $77,168 | $2,004.57 | +$340.32 | +$8,848 |
| Step 3 | $65,838 | $1,716.64 | $79,658 | $2,059.28 | +$342.64 | +$8,909 |
| Step 4 | $67,896 | $1,769.03 | $82,148 | $2,114.00 | +$344.97 | +$8,969 |
| Step 5 | $69,954 | $1,821.43 | $84,638 | $2,168.71 | +$347.28 | +$9,029 |
| Step 6 | $72,012 | $1,873.82 | $87,128 | $2,222.03 | +$348.21 | +$9,054 |
| Step 7 | $74,070 | $1,926.21 | $89,618 | $2,275.01 | +$348.80 | +$9,069 |
| Step 8 | $76,128 | $1,978.60 | $92,107 | $2,327.96 | +$349.36 | +$9,083 |
| Step 9 | $78,186 | $2,026.94 | $94,597 | $2,380.94 | +$354.00 | +$9,204 |
| Step 10 | $80,243 | $2,072.14 | $97,087 | $2,433.92 | +$361.78 | +$9,406 |
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-9 | GS-11 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Biweekly | $2,690.54 | $3,255.31 | +$564.77 |
| FERS (4.4%) | $118.38 | $143.23 | +$24.85 |
| TSP (5% Traditional) | $134.53 | $162.77 | +$28.24 |
| FEHB (Self Only) | $126.29 | $126.29 | +$0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $158.98 | $194.00 | +$35.02 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $37.18 | $45.37 | +$8.19 |
| Federal Tax | $193.52 | $281.45 | +$87.93 |
| State Tax (DC) | $100.23 | $133.49 | +$33.26 |
| Total Deductions | $869.11 | $1,086.60 | +$217.49 |
| Net Biweekly | $1,821.43 | $2,168.71 | +$347.28 |
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-9 Step 5 | $134.53 | $134.53 | $3,498 |
| GS-11 Step 5 | $162.77 | $162.77 | $4,232 |
The GS-11 receives $734/year more in free government matching contributions.
Comparison Across Localities (Step 5)
| Locality | GS-9 Net/PP | GS-11 Net/PP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington (33.94%) | $2,067.70 | $2,428.73 | +$361.03 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland (46.34%) | $2,247.46 | $2,632.90 | +$385.44 |
| New York-Newark (37.95%) | $2,121.09 | $2,507.34 | +$386.25 |
| Rest of U.S. (17.06%) | $1,921.65 | $2,302.20 | +$380.55 |
| Houston-The Woodlands (35.0%) | $2,206.14 | $2,616.58 | +$410.44 |
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-9 to GS-11?
GS-9 positions typically include journey-level professionals with master's degrees or relevant experience. GS-11 positions typically include mid-level professionals, program analysts, and IT specialists.
Gross Pay Increase
At Step 5 in Rest of U.S., the gross salary jumps from $69,954 to $84,638 — a $14,684/year increase (20.99% 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 $9,029/year, or about $347.28/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-9 to GS-11 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-11 take home than a GS-9 in 2026?
At Step 5 with Rest of U.S. locality pay, a GS-11 takes home approximately $347.28 more per pay period ($9,029/year) than a GS-9 after all federal deductions including FERS, TSP, FEHB, FICA, and income taxes.
What is the gross salary difference between GS-9 and GS-11?
At Step 5 in Rest of U.S., GS-9 earns $69,954/year and GS-11 earns $84,638/year — a gross difference of $14,684/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-9 to GS-11?
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-9 to GS-11 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-11. 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.