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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,542 GS-5 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2016)
$44,904 GS-5 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2016)
+$6,280 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 22.22% 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 $34,542 $1,328.54 $16.55 +$6,280
Step 2 $35,693 $1,372.81 $17.10 +$6,489
Step 3 $36,844 $1,417.08 $17.65 +$6,698
Step 4 $37,996 $1,461.38 $18.21 +$6,908
Step 5 $39,147 $1,505.65 $18.76 +$7,117
Step 6 $40,298 $1,549.92 $19.31 +$7,326
Step 7 $41,450 $1,594.23 $19.86 +$7,536
Step 8 $42,601 $1,638.50 $20.41 +$7,745
Step 9 $43,752 $1,682.77 $20.96 +$7,954
Step 10 $44,904 $1,727.08 $21.52 +$8,164
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 1 $34,542
  • Locality add-on +$6,280
  • Adjustment percent 22.22%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 10 $44,904

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 PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

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

For 2016, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 22.22% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,329 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,727. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $34,542 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,904. This is 22.22% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2016, it is 22.22%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,280 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,329 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.