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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$97,683 GS-13 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2017)
$126,986 GS-13 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2017)
+$23,099 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-13 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 30.97% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $97,683 $3,757.04 $46.81 +$23,099
Step 2 $100,939 $3,882.27 $48.37 +$23,869
Step 3 $104,194 $4,007.46 $49.93 +$24,638
Step 4 $107,450 $4,132.69 $51.49 +$25,408
Step 5 $110,706 $4,257.92 $53.05 +$26,178
Step 6 $113,962 $4,383.15 $54.61 +$26,948
Step 7 $117,218 $4,508.38 $56.17 +$27,718
Step 8 $120,474 $4,633.62 $57.73 +$28,488
Step 9 $123,730 $4,758.85 $59.29 +$29,258
Step 10 $126,986 $4,884.08 $60.85 +$30,028
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $74,584
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 1 $97,683
  • Locality add-on +$23,099
  • Adjustment percent 30.97%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $96,958
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 10 $126,986

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-13 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2017, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 30.97% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,757 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,884. 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-13 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-13 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2017, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $97,683 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $126,986. This is 30.97% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2017, it is 30.97%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,099 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,757 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.