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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,179 GS-12 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2016)
$104,232 GS-12 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2016)
+$18,078 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 29.11% 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 $80,179 $3,083.81 $38.42 +$18,078
Step 2 $82,851 $3,186.58 $39.70 +$18,680
Step 3 $85,524 $3,289.38 $40.98 +$19,283
Step 4 $88,196 $3,392.15 $42.26 +$19,885
Step 5 $90,869 $3,494.96 $43.54 +$20,488
Step 6 $93,541 $3,597.73 $44.82 +$21,090
Step 7 $96,214 $3,700.54 $46.10 +$21,693
Step 8 $98,887 $3,803.35 $47.38 +$22,296
Step 9 $101,559 $3,906.12 $48.66 +$22,898
Step 10 $104,232 $4,008.92 $49.94 +$23,501
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 1 $80,179
  • Locality add-on +$18,078
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 10 $104,232

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 HOUSTON: 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 2016, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 29.11% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,084 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,009. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-12 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $80,179 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $104,232. This is 29.11% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2016, it is 29.11%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,078 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,084 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.