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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,884 GS-12 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2015)
$97,354 GS-12 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2015)
+$13,398 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 21.79% 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 $74,884 $2,880.15 $35.88 +$13,398
Step 2 $77,380 $2,976.15 $37.08 +$13,844
Step 3 $79,877 $3,072.19 $38.27 +$14,291
Step 4 $82,374 $3,168.23 $39.47 +$14,738
Step 5 $84,871 $3,264.27 $40.67 +$15,185
Step 6 $87,367 $3,360.27 $41.86 +$15,631
Step 7 $89,864 $3,456.31 $43.06 +$16,078
Step 8 $92,361 $3,552.35 $44.26 +$16,525
Step 9 $94,857 $3,648.35 $45.45 +$16,971
Step 10 $97,354 $3,744.38 $46.65 +$17,418
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 1 $74,884
  • Locality add-on +$13,398
  • Adjustment percent 21.79%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 10 $97,354

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 PHILADELPHIA: 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 PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 21.79% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,880 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,744. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $74,884 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,354. This is 21.79% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2015, it is 21.79%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,398 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,880 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.