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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,553 GS-5 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2016)
$44,918 GS-5 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2016)
+$6,291 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,553 $1,328.96 $16.56 +$6,291
Step 2 $35,705 $1,373.27 $17.11 +$6,501
Step 3 $36,856 $1,417.54 $17.66 +$6,710
Step 4 $38,008 $1,461.85 $18.21 +$6,920
Step 5 $39,160 $1,506.15 $18.76 +$7,130
Step 6 $40,312 $1,550.46 $19.32 +$7,340
Step 7 $41,463 $1,594.73 $19.87 +$7,549
Step 8 $42,615 $1,639.04 $20.42 +$7,759
Step 9 $43,767 $1,683.35 $20.97 +$7,969
Step 10 $44,918 $1,727.62 $21.52 +$8,178
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • SEATTLE GS-5 Step 1 $34,553
  • Locality add-on +$6,291
  • Adjustment percent 22.26%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • SEATTLE GS-5 Step 10 $44,918

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 SEATTLE: what to expect

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

For 2016, the SEATTLE pay area adds a 22.26% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $1,329 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,728. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-5 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $34,553 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,918. This is 22.26% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,291 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $1,329 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.