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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,489 GS-12 Step 1 in PORTLAND (2017)
$99,439 GS-12 Step 10 in PORTLAND (2017)
+$13,767 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for PORTLAND

Each step below already includes the 21.95% 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 $76,489 $2,941.88 $36.65 +$13,767
Step 2 $79,039 $3,039.96 $37.87 +$14,226
Step 3 $81,589 $3,138.04 $39.09 +$14,685
Step 4 $84,139 $3,236.12 $40.32 +$15,144
Step 5 $86,689 $3,334.19 $41.54 +$15,603
Step 6 $89,239 $3,432.27 $42.76 +$16,062
Step 7 $91,789 $3,530.35 $43.98 +$16,521
Step 8 $94,339 $3,628.42 $45.20 +$16,980
Step 9 $96,889 $3,726.50 $46.43 +$17,439
Step 10 $99,439 $3,824.58 $47.65 +$17,898
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PORTLAND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 1 $76,489
  • Locality add-on +$13,767
  • Adjustment percent 21.95%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 10 $99,439

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 PORTLAND: 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 PORTLAND pay area adds a 21.95% 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 PORTLAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,942 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,825. 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 PORTLAND page.

Other grades in PORTLAND

GS-12 in PORTLAND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PORTLAND?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns $76,489 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $99,439. This is 21.95% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PORTLAND in 2017, it is 21.95%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,767 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,942 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.