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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,385 GS-5 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2017)
$48,607 GS-5 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2017)
+$8,840 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $37,385 $1,437.88 $17.91 +$8,840
Step 2 $38,632 $1,485.85 $18.51 +$9,135
Step 3 $39,879 $1,533.81 $19.11 +$9,430
Step 4 $41,126 $1,581.77 $19.71 +$9,725
Step 5 $42,373 $1,629.73 $20.30 +$10,020
Step 6 $43,620 $1,677.69 $20.90 +$10,315
Step 7 $44,866 $1,725.62 $21.50 +$10,609
Step 8 $46,113 $1,773.58 $22.10 +$10,904
Step 9 $47,360 $1,821.54 $22.69 +$11,199
Step 10 $48,607 $1,869.50 $23.29 +$11,494
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 1 $37,385
  • Locality add-on +$8,840
  • Adjustment percent 30.97%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 10 $48,607

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-5 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2017, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 30.97% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,438 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,870. 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-5 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-5 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $37,385 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,607. This is 30.97% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,840 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,438 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.