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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,016 GS-5 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2015)
$46,823 GS-5 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2015)
+$8,034 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-5 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 28.71% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,016 $1,385.23 $17.26 +$8,034
Step 2 $37,216 $1,431.38 $17.83 +$8,301
Step 3 $38,417 $1,477.58 $18.41 +$8,569
Step 4 $39,618 $1,523.77 $18.98 +$8,837
Step 5 $40,819 $1,569.96 $19.56 +$9,105
Step 6 $42,020 $1,616.15 $20.13 +$9,373
Step 7 $43,221 $1,662.35 $20.71 +$9,641
Step 8 $44,422 $1,708.54 $21.29 +$9,909
Step 9 $45,623 $1,754.73 $21.86 +$10,177
Step 10 $46,823 $1,800.88 $22.44 +$10,444
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,982
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 1 $36,016
  • Locality add-on +$8,034
  • Adjustment percent 28.71%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,379
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 10 $46,823

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-5 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2015, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 28.71% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,385 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,801. 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-5 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-5 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2015, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $36,016 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,823. This is 28.71% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2015, it is 28.71%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,034 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,385 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.