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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,085 GS-5 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2015)
$44,313 GS-5 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2015)
+$6,103 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,085 $1,310.96 $16.33 +$6,103
Step 2 $35,221 $1,354.65 $16.88 +$6,306
Step 3 $36,358 $1,398.38 $17.42 +$6,510
Step 4 $37,494 $1,442.08 $17.97 +$6,713
Step 5 $38,631 $1,485.81 $18.51 +$6,917
Step 6 $39,767 $1,529.50 $19.05 +$7,120
Step 7 $40,904 $1,573.23 $19.60 +$7,324
Step 8 $42,040 $1,616.92 $20.14 +$7,527
Step 9 $43,177 $1,660.65 $20.69 +$7,731
Step 10 $44,313 $1,704.35 $21.23 +$7,934
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,982
  • SEATTLE GS-5 Step 1 $34,085
  • Locality add-on +$6,103
  • Adjustment percent 21.81%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,379
  • SEATTLE GS-5 Step 10 $44,313

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 SEATTLE: what to expect

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

For 2015, the SEATTLE pay area adds a 21.81% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $1,311 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,704. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-5 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2015, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $34,085 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,313. This is 21.81% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,103 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $1,311 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.