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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$73,998 GS-12 Step 1 in PORTLAND (2015)
$96,203 GS-12 Step 10 in PORTLAND (2015)
+$12,512 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for PORTLAND

Each step below already includes the 20.35% 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 $73,998 $2,846.08 $35.46 +$12,512
Step 2 $76,466 $2,941.00 $36.64 +$12,930
Step 3 $78,933 $3,035.88 $37.82 +$13,347
Step 4 $81,400 $3,130.77 $39.00 +$13,764
Step 5 $83,867 $3,225.65 $40.19 +$14,181
Step 6 $86,334 $3,320.54 $41.37 +$14,598
Step 7 $88,801 $3,415.42 $42.55 +$15,015
Step 8 $91,269 $3,510.35 $43.73 +$15,433
Step 9 $93,736 $3,605.23 $44.91 +$15,850
Step 10 $96,203 $3,700.12 $46.10 +$16,267
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PORTLAND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 1 $73,998
  • Locality add-on +$12,512
  • Adjustment percent 20.35%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 10 $96,203

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 PORTLAND: 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 PORTLAND pay area adds a 20.35% 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 PORTLAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,846 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,700. 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 PORTLAND page.

Other grades in PORTLAND

GS-12 in PORTLAND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PORTLAND?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns $73,998 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,203. This is 20.35% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PORTLAND in 2015, it is 20.35%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,512 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,846 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.