How GS promotion pay is set
Promotions do not simply move you to the same step in the next grade. The rule guarantees a raise of at least two within-grade increases of your old grade, then places you at the first step of the new grade that reaches that amount. That is why a promotion from a lower step can land on step 1 of the higher grade, while a promotion from step 9 or 10 can land several steps up.
Related tools
- GS pay calculator for any grade, step and locality.
- Step increase (WGI) timing for when your next increase comes.
- High-3 calculator to see what a higher salary does to your future pension base.
Frequently asked questions
What is the two-step promotion rule?
A GS employee promoted to a higher grade without a break in service is paid at the lowest rate of the higher grade that is at least two within-grade increases above the existing rate of the old grade (5 U.S.C. 5334(b), 5 CFR 531.214).
How are the two within-grade increases measured?
From steps 1 to 8 you move up two steps of your current grade. From step 9, the increase is one step to step 10 plus one more increase of the step 9 to 10 amount. From step 10 it is two increases of that amount. For GS-1 and GS-2 the value is twice the step 9 to 10 amount.
Is it locality pay or base pay that gets compared?
OPM applies the locality pay for your worksite after the promotion to the two-step figure and then finds the lowest step of the higher grade, in locality-adjusted terms, that is at least that much. Locality pay at a new worksite therefore changes the result.
Why might my actual salary differ?
Special rates, law enforcement and wildland-firefighter special base rates, retained rates, pay-band systems, a within-grade or quality step increase on the same day, and the pay table in effect on the promotion date can all change the result. Your HR office sets your pay.
Does a promotion change my next step increase date?
Yes. The waiting period for your next within-grade increase restarts from the promotion date, based on the step you land on: 52 weeks for steps 1 to 3, 104 for 4 to 6, and 156 for 7 to 9.
Which pay tables does this use?
The 2026 General Schedule and locality tables from OPM, the latest published. Amounts for a promotion after a new schedule takes effect will differ.