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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,944 GS-5 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2015)
$41,530 GS-5 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2015)
+$3,962 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $31,944 $1,228.62 $15.31 +$3,962
Step 2 $33,009 $1,269.58 $15.82 +$4,094
Step 3 $34,074 $1,310.54 $16.33 +$4,226
Step 4 $35,140 $1,351.54 $16.84 +$4,359
Step 5 $36,205 $1,392.50 $17.35 +$4,491
Step 6 $37,270 $1,433.46 $17.86 +$4,623
Step 7 $38,335 $1,474.42 $18.37 +$4,755
Step 8 $39,400 $1,515.38 $18.88 +$4,887
Step 9 $40,465 $1,556.35 $19.39 +$5,019
Step 10 $41,530 $1,597.31 $19.90 +$5,151
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,982
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 1 $31,944
  • Locality add-on +$3,962
  • Adjustment percent 14.16%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,379
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 10 $41,530

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 Rest of U.S.: what to expect

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

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-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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,229 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,597. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-5 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2015, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $31,944 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $41,530. This is 14.16% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $3,962 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,229 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.