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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,925 GS-12 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2016)
$98,702 GS-12 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2016)
+$13,824 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for SEATTLE

Each step below already includes the 22.26% 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 $75,925 $2,920.19 $36.38 +$13,824
Step 2 $78,455 $3,017.50 $37.59 +$14,284
Step 3 $80,986 $3,114.85 $38.80 +$14,745
Step 4 $83,517 $3,212.19 $40.02 +$15,206
Step 5 $86,048 $3,309.54 $41.23 +$15,667
Step 6 $88,579 $3,406.88 $42.44 +$16,128
Step 7 $91,109 $3,504.19 $43.66 +$16,588
Step 8 $93,640 $3,601.54 $44.87 +$17,049
Step 9 $96,171 $3,698.88 $46.08 +$17,510
Step 10 $98,702 $3,796.23 $47.29 +$17,971
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 1 $75,925
  • Locality add-on +$13,824
  • Adjustment percent 22.26%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 10 $98,702

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 SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 22.26% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,920 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,796. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-12 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $75,925 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,702. This is 22.26% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2016, it is 22.26%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,824 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,920 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.