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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$69,497 GS-12 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2014)
$90,344 GS-12 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2014)
+$8,620 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-12 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 14.16% 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 $69,497 $2,672.96 $33.30 +$8,620
Step 2 $71,813 $2,762.04 $34.41 +$8,907
Step 3 $74,130 $2,851.15 $35.52 +$9,195
Step 4 $76,446 $2,940.23 $36.63 +$9,482
Step 5 $78,762 $3,029.31 $37.74 +$9,769
Step 6 $81,079 $3,118.42 $38.85 +$10,057
Step 7 $83,395 $3,207.50 $39.96 +$10,344
Step 8 $85,711 $3,296.58 $41.07 +$10,631
Step 9 $88,028 $3,385.69 $42.18 +$10,919
Step 10 $90,344 $3,474.77 $43.29 +$11,206
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $60,877
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 1 $69,497
  • Locality add-on +$8,620
  • Adjustment percent 14.16%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,138
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 10 $90,344

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 Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 14.16% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,673 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,475. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-12 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2014, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $69,497 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $90,344. This is 14.16% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2014, it is 14.16%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,620 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,673 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.