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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,319 GS-12 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2017)
$96,618 GS-12 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2017)
+$11,597 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 18.49% 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 $74,319 $2,858.42 $35.61 +$11,597
Step 2 $76,797 $2,953.73 $36.80 +$11,984
Step 3 $79,275 $3,049.04 $37.99 +$12,371
Step 4 $81,752 $3,144.31 $39.17 +$12,757
Step 5 $84,230 $3,239.62 $40.36 +$13,144
Step 6 $86,707 $3,334.88 $41.55 +$13,530
Step 7 $89,185 $3,430.19 $42.73 +$13,917
Step 8 $91,663 $3,525.50 $43.92 +$14,304
Step 9 $94,140 $3,620.77 $45.11 +$14,690
Step 10 $96,618 $3,716.08 $46.30 +$15,077
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 1 $74,319
  • Locality add-on +$11,597
  • Adjustment percent 18.49%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 10 $96,618

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 COLUMBUS: 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 2017, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 18.49% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,858 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,716. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-12 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $74,319 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,618. This is 18.49% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2017, it is 18.49%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,597 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,858 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.