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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$71,791 GS-12 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2015)
$93,333 GS-12 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2015)
+$10,305 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 16.76% 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 $71,791 $2,761.19 $34.40 +$10,305
Step 2 $74,185 $2,853.27 $35.55 +$10,649
Step 3 $76,578 $2,945.31 $36.69 +$10,992
Step 4 $78,972 $3,037.38 $37.84 +$11,336
Step 5 $81,365 $3,129.42 $38.99 +$11,679
Step 6 $83,759 $3,221.50 $40.13 +$12,023
Step 7 $86,153 $3,313.58 $41.28 +$12,367
Step 8 $88,546 $3,405.62 $42.43 +$12,710
Step 9 $90,940 $3,497.69 $43.57 +$13,054
Step 10 $93,333 $3,589.73 $44.72 +$13,397
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 1 $71,791
  • Locality add-on +$10,305
  • Adjustment percent 16.76%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 10 $93,333

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 16.76% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,761 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,590. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-12 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $71,791 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $93,333. This is 16.76% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2015, it is 16.76%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,305 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,761 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.