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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$71,012 GS-12 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2016)
$92,316 GS-12 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2016)
+$8,911 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 14.35% 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 $71,012 $2,731.23 $34.03 +$8,911
Step 2 $73,380 $2,822.31 $35.16 +$9,209
Step 3 $75,747 $2,913.35 $36.29 +$9,506
Step 4 $78,114 $3,004.38 $37.43 +$9,803
Step 5 $80,481 $3,095.42 $38.56 +$10,100
Step 6 $82,848 $3,186.46 $39.70 +$10,397
Step 7 $85,215 $3,277.50 $40.83 +$10,694
Step 8 $87,582 $3,368.54 $41.97 +$10,991
Step 9 $89,949 $3,459.58 $43.10 +$11,288
Step 10 $92,316 $3,550.62 $44.23 +$11,585
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 1 $71,012
  • Locality add-on +$8,911
  • Adjustment percent 14.35%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 10 $92,316

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 Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 14.35% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,731 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,551. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-12 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $71,012 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $92,316. This is 14.35% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2016, it is 14.35%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,911 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,731 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.