WG (Wage Grade) is the Federal Wage System — the hourly pay scale for blue-collar / trades federal jobs (mechanics, electricians, machinists, etc.). Unlike the salaried GS schedule, WG rates are hourly and vary by local wage area.

Who sets WG pay rates?

Federal Wage System schedules are issued by the Department of Defense’s Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS), Wage & Salary Division, which the government delegates as the lead agency. Each wage area adjusts on its own survey schedule, so effective dates differ by area.

What is the difference between GS and WG?

GS (General Schedule) is the salaried white-collar federal pay system with grades/steps plus locality pay. WG (Wage Grade) is the hourly blue-collar system whose rates vary by local wage area.

2026 WG Pay Scale Calculator

Look up Federal Wage System (WG) hourly pay — the blue-collar federal pay scale — by wage area, grade, and step. Ideal for veterans moving into federal trades and maintenance jobs.

🇺🇸 Built by a veteran, for veterans·100% free — no login, no upsell·Reviewed July 2026

Sources: DoD DCPAS — Wage & Salary (FWS schedules), OPM — Federal Wage System

Wage areaGradeStep

WG-10 Step 2 · Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA

$36.18/hr

Annual (2,087 hrs)

$75,507.66

Biweekly (80 hrs)

$2,894.40

Non-supervisory (WG) hourly rates for the selected wage area, effective 1 July 2026. Federal Wage System schedules are issued by DoD DCPAS (Wage & Salary Division)and adjust on each area's own survey schedule, so effective dates differ by area. This subset covers 20 of the largest wage areas — check DCPAS for your exact area and for WL/WS (leader/supervisory) rates.

Looking for salaried (white-collar) federal pay instead? Use the GS pay calculator, or see how veterans' preference works.

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2026 WG Pay Scale Calculator

Look up Federal Wage System (WG) hourly pay — the blue-collar federal pay scale — by wage area, grade, and step. Ideal for veterans moving into federal trades and maintenance jobs.

🇺🇸 Built by a veteran, for veterans·100% free — no login, no upsell·Reviewed July 2026

Sources: DoD DCPAS — Wage & Salary (FWS schedules), OPM — Federal Wage System