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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,154 GS-12 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2014)
$96,398 GS-12 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2014)
+$13,277 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-12 pay table for SEATTLE

Each step below already includes the 21.81% 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 $74,154 $2,852.08 $35.53 +$13,277
Step 2 $76,626 $2,947.15 $36.72 +$13,720
Step 3 $79,097 $3,042.19 $37.90 +$14,162
Step 4 $81,569 $3,137.27 $39.08 +$14,605
Step 5 $84,040 $3,232.31 $40.27 +$15,047
Step 6 $86,512 $3,327.38 $41.45 +$15,490
Step 7 $88,983 $3,422.42 $42.64 +$15,932
Step 8 $91,455 $3,517.50 $43.82 +$16,375
Step 9 $93,926 $3,612.54 $45.01 +$16,817
Step 10 $96,398 $3,707.62 $46.19 +$17,260
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $60,877
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 1 $74,154
  • Locality add-on +$13,277
  • Adjustment percent 21.81%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,138
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 10 $96,398

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 SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 21.81% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,852 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,708. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-12 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2014, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $74,154 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,398. This is 21.81% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2014, it is 21.81%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,277 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,852 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.