An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$32,459 GS-5 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2014)
$42,202 GS-5 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2014)
+$4,754 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-5 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 17.16% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $32,459 $1,248.42 $15.55 +$4,754
Step 2 $33,542 $1,290.08 $16.07 +$4,913
Step 3 $34,624 $1,331.69 $16.59 +$5,071
Step 4 $35,707 $1,373.35 $17.11 +$5,230
Step 5 $36,789 $1,414.96 $17.63 +$5,388
Step 6 $37,872 $1,456.62 $18.15 +$5,547
Step 7 $38,955 $1,498.27 $18.67 +$5,706
Step 8 $40,037 $1,539.88 $19.18 +$5,864
Step 9 $41,120 $1,581.54 $19.70 +$6,023
Step 10 $42,202 $1,623.15 $20.22 +$6,181
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,705
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 1 $32,459
  • Locality add-on +$4,754
  • Adjustment percent 17.16%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,021
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 10 $42,202

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-5 in COLUMBUS: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2014, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 17.16% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,248 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,623. 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-5 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-5 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2014, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $32,459 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $42,202. This is 17.16% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2014, it is 17.16%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,754 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,248 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.