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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,142 GS-12 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2014)
$96,382 GS-12 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2014)
+$13,265 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-12 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 21.79% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $74,142 $2,851.62 $35.53 +$13,265
Step 2 $76,613 $2,946.65 $36.71 +$13,707
Step 3 $79,084 $3,041.69 $37.89 +$14,149
Step 4 $81,555 $3,136.73 $39.08 +$14,591
Step 5 $84,027 $3,231.81 $40.26 +$15,034
Step 6 $86,498 $3,326.85 $41.45 +$15,476
Step 7 $88,969 $3,421.88 $42.63 +$15,918
Step 8 $91,440 $3,516.92 $43.81 +$16,360
Step 9 $93,911 $3,611.96 $45.00 +$16,802
Step 10 $96,382 $3,707.00 $46.18 +$17,244
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $60,877
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 1 $74,142
  • Locality add-on +$13,265
  • Adjustment percent 21.79%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,138
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 10 $96,382

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2014, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 21.79% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,852 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,707. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2014 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2014, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $74,142 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,382. This is 21.79% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2014, it is 21.79%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,265 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,852 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.