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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,182 GS-5 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2016)
$43,136 GS-5 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2016)
+$4,920 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 17.41% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,182 $1,276.23 $15.90 +$4,920
Step 2 $34,288 $1,318.77 $16.43 +$5,084
Step 3 $35,394 $1,361.31 $16.96 +$5,248
Step 4 $36,500 $1,403.85 $17.49 +$5,412
Step 5 $37,606 $1,446.38 $18.02 +$5,576
Step 6 $38,712 $1,488.92 $18.55 +$5,740
Step 7 $39,818 $1,531.46 $19.08 +$5,904
Step 8 $40,924 $1,574.00 $19.61 +$6,068
Step 9 $42,030 $1,616.54 $20.14 +$6,232
Step 10 $43,136 $1,659.08 $20.67 +$6,396
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 1 $33,182
  • Locality add-on +$4,920
  • Adjustment percent 17.41%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 10 $43,136

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-5 in COLUMBUS: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2016, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 17.41% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,276 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,659. 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-5 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-5 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $33,182 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,136. This is 17.41% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2016, it is 17.41%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,920 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,276 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.