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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$32,318 GS-5 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2016)
$42,012 GS-5 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2016)
+$4,056 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $32,318 $1,243.00 $15.49 +$4,056
Step 2 $33,395 $1,284.42 $16.00 +$4,191
Step 3 $34,472 $1,325.85 $16.52 +$4,326
Step 4 $35,549 $1,367.27 $17.03 +$4,461
Step 5 $36,626 $1,408.69 $17.55 +$4,596
Step 6 $37,703 $1,450.12 $18.07 +$4,731
Step 7 $38,781 $1,491.58 $18.58 +$4,867
Step 8 $39,858 $1,533.00 $19.10 +$5,002
Step 9 $40,935 $1,574.42 $19.61 +$5,137
Step 10 $42,012 $1,615.85 $20.13 +$5,272
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 1 $32,318
  • Locality add-on +$4,056
  • Adjustment percent 14.35%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 10 $42,012

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 Rest of U.S.: what to expect

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

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-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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,243 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,616. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-5 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $32,318 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $42,012. This is 14.35% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,056 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,243 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.