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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$81,319 GS-12 Step 1 in LOS ANGELES (2017)
$105,718 GS-12 Step 10 in LOS ANGELES (2017)
+$18,597 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for LOS ANGELES

Each step below already includes the 29.65% 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 $81,319 $3,127.65 $38.96 +$18,597
Step 2 $84,030 $3,231.92 $40.26 +$19,217
Step 3 $86,741 $3,336.19 $41.56 +$19,837
Step 4 $89,452 $3,440.46 $42.86 +$20,457
Step 5 $92,163 $3,544.73 $44.16 +$21,077
Step 6 $94,874 $3,649.00 $45.46 +$21,697
Step 7 $97,585 $3,753.27 $46.76 +$22,317
Step 8 $100,296 $3,857.54 $48.06 +$22,937
Step 9 $103,007 $3,961.81 $49.36 +$23,557
Step 10 $105,718 $4,066.08 $50.66 +$24,177
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more LOS ANGELES pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • LOS ANGELES GS-12 Step 1 $81,319
  • Locality add-on +$18,597
  • Adjustment percent 29.65%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • LOS ANGELES GS-12 Step 10 $105,718

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 LOS ANGELES: 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 LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 29.65% 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 LOS ANGELES

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $3,128 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,066. 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 LOS ANGELES page.

Other grades in LOS ANGELES

GS-12 in LOS ANGELES questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in LOS ANGELES?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $81,319 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,718. This is 29.65% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in LOS ANGELES?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For LOS ANGELES in 2017, it is 29.65%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,597 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in LOS ANGELES?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $3,128 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.