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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$72,733 GS-12 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2016)
$94,552 GS-12 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2016)
+$10,632 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 17.12% 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 $72,733 $2,797.42 $34.85 +$10,632
Step 2 $75,157 $2,890.65 $36.01 +$10,986
Step 3 $77,581 $2,983.88 $37.17 +$11,340
Step 4 $80,006 $3,077.15 $38.34 +$11,695
Step 5 $82,430 $3,170.38 $39.50 +$12,049
Step 6 $84,855 $3,263.65 $40.66 +$12,404
Step 7 $87,279 $3,356.88 $41.82 +$12,758
Step 8 $89,703 $3,450.12 $42.98 +$13,112
Step 9 $92,128 $3,543.38 $44.14 +$13,467
Step 10 $94,552 $3,636.62 $45.31 +$13,821
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 1 $72,733
  • Locality add-on +$10,632
  • Adjustment percent 17.12%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 10 $94,552

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 17.12% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,797 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,637. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-12 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $72,733 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $94,552. This is 17.12% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2016, it is 17.12%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,632 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,797 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.