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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,950 GS-12 Step 1 in PORTLAND (2016)
$97,434 GS-12 Step 10 in PORTLAND (2016)
+$12,849 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for PORTLAND

Each step below already includes the 20.69% 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 $74,950 $2,882.69 $35.91 +$12,849
Step 2 $77,448 $2,978.77 $37.11 +$13,277
Step 3 $79,946 $3,074.85 $38.31 +$13,705
Step 4 $82,445 $3,170.96 $39.50 +$14,134
Step 5 $84,943 $3,267.04 $40.70 +$14,562
Step 6 $87,441 $3,363.12 $41.90 +$14,990
Step 7 $89,939 $3,459.19 $43.09 +$15,418
Step 8 $92,438 $3,555.31 $44.29 +$15,847
Step 9 $94,936 $3,651.38 $45.49 +$16,275
Step 10 $97,434 $3,747.46 $46.69 +$16,703
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PORTLAND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 1 $74,950
  • Locality add-on +$12,849
  • Adjustment percent 20.69%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 10 $97,434

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 PORTLAND: 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 PORTLAND pay area adds a 20.69% 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 PORTLAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,883 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,747. 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 PORTLAND page.

Other grades in PORTLAND

GS-12 in PORTLAND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PORTLAND?
    In 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns $74,950 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,434. This is 20.69% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PORTLAND in 2016, it is 20.69%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,849 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,883 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.