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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,896 GS-12 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2015)
$97,370 GS-12 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2015)
+$13,410 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for SEATTLE

Each step below already includes the 21.81% 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 $74,896 $2,880.62 $35.89 +$13,410
Step 2 $77,393 $2,976.65 $37.08 +$13,857
Step 3 $79,890 $3,072.69 $38.28 +$14,304
Step 4 $82,387 $3,168.73 $39.48 +$14,751
Step 5 $84,885 $3,264.81 $40.67 +$15,199
Step 6 $87,382 $3,360.85 $41.87 +$15,646
Step 7 $89,879 $3,456.88 $43.07 +$16,093
Step 8 $92,376 $3,552.92 $44.26 +$16,540
Step 9 $94,873 $3,648.96 $45.46 +$16,987
Step 10 $97,370 $3,745.00 $46.66 +$17,434
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 1 $74,896
  • Locality add-on +$13,410
  • Adjustment percent 21.81%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 10 $97,370

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 SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 21.81% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,881 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,745. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-12 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $74,896 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,370. This is 21.81% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2015, it is 21.81%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,410 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,881 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.