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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$72,168 GS-12 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2017)
$93,821 GS-12 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2017)
+$9,446 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 15.06% 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 $72,168 $2,775.69 $34.58 +$9,446
Step 2 $74,574 $2,868.23 $35.73 +$9,761
Step 3 $76,980 $2,960.77 $36.89 +$10,076
Step 4 $79,386 $3,053.31 $38.04 +$10,391
Step 5 $81,792 $3,145.85 $39.19 +$10,706
Step 6 $84,197 $3,238.35 $40.34 +$11,020
Step 7 $86,603 $3,330.88 $41.50 +$11,335
Step 8 $89,009 $3,423.42 $42.65 +$11,650
Step 9 $91,415 $3,515.96 $43.80 +$11,965
Step 10 $93,821 $3,608.50 $44.95 +$12,280
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 1 $72,168
  • Locality add-on +$9,446
  • Adjustment percent 15.06%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • Rest of U.S. GS-12 Step 10 $93,821

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 Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 15.06% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,776 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,609. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-12 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $72,168 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $93,821. This is 15.06% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2017, it is 15.06%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,446 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $2,776 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.