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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,926 GS-12 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2017)
$101,307 GS-12 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2017)
+$15,204 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for SEATTLE

Each step below already includes the 24.24% 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 $77,926 $2,997.15 $37.34 +$15,204
Step 2 $80,524 $3,097.08 $38.58 +$15,711
Step 3 $83,122 $3,197.00 $39.83 +$16,218
Step 4 $85,719 $3,296.88 $41.07 +$16,724
Step 5 $88,317 $3,396.81 $42.32 +$17,231
Step 6 $90,915 $3,496.73 $43.56 +$17,738
Step 7 $93,513 $3,596.65 $44.81 +$18,245
Step 8 $96,111 $3,696.58 $46.05 +$18,752
Step 9 $98,709 $3,796.50 $47.30 +$19,259
Step 10 $101,307 $3,896.42 $48.54 +$19,766
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 1 $77,926
  • Locality add-on +$15,204
  • Adjustment percent 24.24%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • SEATTLE GS-12 Step 10 $101,307

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 SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 24.24% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,997 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,896. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-12 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $77,926 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,307. This is 24.24% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2017, it is 24.24%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,204 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $2,997 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.