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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$72,037 GS-12 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2015)
$93,653 GS-12 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2015)
+$10,551 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $72,037 $2,770.65 $34.52 +$10,551
Step 2 $74,439 $2,863.04 $35.67 +$10,903
Step 3 $76,841 $2,955.42 $36.82 +$11,255
Step 4 $79,242 $3,047.77 $37.97 +$11,606
Step 5 $81,644 $3,140.15 $39.12 +$11,958
Step 6 $84,046 $3,232.54 $40.27 +$12,310
Step 7 $86,448 $3,324.92 $41.42 +$12,662
Step 8 $88,849 $3,417.27 $42.57 +$13,013
Step 9 $91,251 $3,509.65 $43.72 +$13,365
Step 10 $93,653 $3,602.04 $44.87 +$13,717
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 1 $72,037
  • Locality add-on +$10,551
  • Adjustment percent 17.16%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 10 $93,653

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 COLUMBUS: 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 2015, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 17.16% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,771 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,602. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-12 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $72,037 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $93,653. This is 17.16% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2015, it is 17.16%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,551 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,771 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.