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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,900 GS-12 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2016)
$98,669 GS-12 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2016)
+$13,799 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 22.22% 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 $75,900 $2,919.23 $36.37 +$13,799
Step 2 $78,430 $3,016.54 $37.58 +$14,259
Step 3 $80,960 $3,113.85 $38.79 +$14,719
Step 4 $83,490 $3,211.15 $40.00 +$15,179
Step 5 $86,020 $3,308.46 $41.22 +$15,639
Step 6 $88,550 $3,405.77 $42.43 +$16,099
Step 7 $91,080 $3,503.08 $43.64 +$16,559
Step 8 $93,610 $3,600.38 $44.85 +$17,019
Step 9 $96,139 $3,697.65 $46.07 +$17,478
Step 10 $98,669 $3,794.96 $47.28 +$17,938
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 1 $75,900
  • Locality add-on +$13,799
  • Adjustment percent 22.22%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 10 $98,669

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 PHILADELPHIA: 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 PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 22.22% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,919 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,795. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $75,900 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,669. This is 22.22% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2016, it is 22.22%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,799 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,919 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.