GS-3 Pay — Houston-The Woodlands (2026)
This page shows GS-3 pay in the Houston-The Woodlands locality pay area for 2026. The Houston-The Woodlands area adds 35% in locality pay on top of the GS-3 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $37,406 | $17.92 | $1,433.60 |
| Step 2 | $38,653 | $18.52 | $1,481.60 |
| Step 3 | $39,901 | $19.12 | $1,529.60 |
| Step 4 | $41,148 | $19.72 | $1,577.60 |
| Step 5 | $42,395 | $20.31 | $1,624.80 |
| Step 6 | $43,643 | $20.91 | $1,672.80 |
| Step 7 | $44,890 | $21.51 | $1,720.80 |
| Step 8 | $46,138 | $22.11 | $1,768.80 |
| Step 9 | $47,385 | $22.70 | $1,816.00 |
| Step 10 | $48,632 | $23.30 | $1,864.00 |
Locality pay is calculated as the base rate multiplied by one plus the locality percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Check another grade, step or locality
| Base pay (before locality) | $31,404 |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX locality | 35% |
| Adjusted annual | $42,395 |
| Per month | $3,533 |
| Bi-weekly | $1,624.80 |
| Hourly | $20.31 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Houston-The Woodlands GS scale
- GS-3 in every locality
- GS-2 in Houston-The Woodlands
- GS-4 in Houston-The Woodlands
- GS-3 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-3 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-3 in New York-Newark
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-3 make in Houston-The Woodlands?
For 2026, GS-3 in Houston-The Woodlands ranges from $37,406 at the first step to $48,632 at the top step, with $42,395 near the middle.
How is Houston-The Woodlands locality pay calculated?
The GS-3 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Houston-The Woodlands locality percentage of 35%, then rounded to the nearest dollar.
What is the 2026 raise?
For 2026, the across-the-board base rate rose while locality percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so the Houston-The Woodlands rate remained 35%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-3 figures for Houston-The Woodlands are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-HOU · effective January 11, 2026 · Houston-The Woodlands, TX, 35% locality. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.