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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$70,192 GS-12 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2015)
$91,255 GS-12 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2015)
+$8,706 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $70,192 $2,699.69 $33.63 +$8,706
Step 2 $72,533 $2,789.73 $34.75 +$8,997
Step 3 $74,873 $2,879.73 $35.88 +$9,287
Step 4 $77,213 $2,969.73 $37.00 +$9,577
Step 5 $79,554 $3,059.77 $38.12 +$9,868
Step 6 $81,894 $3,149.77 $39.24 +$10,158
Step 7 $84,234 $3,239.77 $40.36 +$10,448
Step 8 $86,574 $3,329.77 $41.48 +$10,738
Step 9 $88,915 $3,419.81 $42.60 +$11,029
Step 10 $91,255 $3,509.81 $43.73 +$11,319
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 1 $70,192
  • Locality add-on +$8,706
  • Adjustment percent 14.16%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 10 $91,255

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 Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 14.16% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,700 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,510. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-12 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $70,192 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $91,255. This is 14.16% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 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 2015, it is 14.16%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,706 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,700 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.