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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,369 GS-12 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2017)
$96,683 GS-12 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2017)
+$11,647 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 18.57% 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 $74,369 $2,860.35 $35.63 +$11,647
Step 2 $76,849 $2,955.73 $36.82 +$12,036
Step 3 $79,328 $3,051.08 $38.01 +$12,424
Step 4 $81,807 $3,146.42 $39.20 +$12,812
Step 5 $84,287 $3,241.81 $40.39 +$13,201
Step 6 $86,766 $3,337.15 $41.57 +$13,589
Step 7 $89,245 $3,432.50 $42.76 +$13,977
Step 8 $91,725 $3,527.88 $43.95 +$14,366
Step 9 $94,204 $3,623.23 $45.14 +$14,754
Step 10 $96,683 $3,718.58 $46.33 +$15,142
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 1 $74,369
  • Locality add-on +$11,647
  • Adjustment percent 18.57%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 10 $96,683

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 18.57% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,860 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,719. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-12 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $74,369 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,683. This is 18.57% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2017, it is 18.57%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,647 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,860 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.