An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$82,147 GS-12 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2017)
$106,794 GS-12 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2017)
+$19,425 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 30.97% 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 $82,147 $3,159.50 $39.36 +$19,425
Step 2 $84,886 $3,264.85 $40.67 +$20,073
Step 3 $87,624 $3,370.15 $41.99 +$20,720
Step 4 $90,363 $3,475.50 $43.30 +$21,368
Step 5 $93,101 $3,580.81 $44.61 +$22,015
Step 6 $95,840 $3,686.15 $45.92 +$22,663
Step 7 $98,578 $3,791.46 $47.23 +$23,310
Step 8 $101,317 $3,896.81 $48.55 +$23,958
Step 9 $104,056 $4,002.15 $49.86 +$24,606
Step 10 $106,794 $4,107.46 $51.17 +$25,253
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 1 $82,147
  • Locality add-on +$19,425
  • Adjustment percent 30.97%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 10 $106,794

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 HOUSTON: 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 HOUSTON pay area adds a 30.97% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,160 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,107. 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 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-12 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $82,147 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $106,794. This is 30.97% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2017, it is 30.97%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,425 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,160 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.