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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,694 GS-12 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2017)
$101,005 GS-12 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2017)
+$14,972 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 23.87% 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 $77,694 $2,988.23 $37.23 +$14,972
Step 2 $80,284 $3,087.85 $38.47 +$15,471
Step 3 $82,874 $3,187.46 $39.71 +$15,970
Step 4 $85,464 $3,287.08 $40.95 +$16,469
Step 5 $88,054 $3,386.69 $42.19 +$16,968
Step 6 $90,644 $3,486.31 $43.43 +$17,467
Step 7 $93,234 $3,585.92 $44.67 +$17,966
Step 8 $95,825 $3,685.58 $45.92 +$18,466
Step 9 $98,415 $3,785.19 $47.16 +$18,965
Step 10 $101,005 $3,884.81 $48.40 +$19,464
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 1 $77,694
  • Locality add-on +$14,972
  • Adjustment percent 23.87%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 10 $101,005

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 PHILADELPHIA: 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 PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 23.87% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,988 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,885. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $77,694 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,005. This is 23.87% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2017, it is 23.87%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,972 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,988 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.