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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,628 GS-5 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2014)
$41,122 GS-5 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2014)
+$3,923 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $31,628 $1,216.46 $15.15 +$3,923
Step 2 $32,683 $1,257.04 $15.66 +$4,054
Step 3 $33,738 $1,297.62 $16.17 +$4,185
Step 4 $34,793 $1,338.19 $16.67 +$4,316
Step 5 $35,847 $1,378.73 $17.18 +$4,446
Step 6 $36,902 $1,419.31 $17.68 +$4,577
Step 7 $37,957 $1,459.88 $18.19 +$4,708
Step 8 $39,012 $1,500.46 $18.69 +$4,839
Step 9 $40,067 $1,541.04 $19.20 +$4,970
Step 10 $41,122 $1,581.62 $19.70 +$5,101
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,705
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 1 $31,628
  • Locality add-on +$3,923
  • Adjustment percent 14.16%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,021
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 10 $41,122

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 Rest of U.S.: what to expect

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

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-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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,216 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,582. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-5 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2014, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $31,628 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $41,122. This is 14.16% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $3,923 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,216 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.