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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,359 GS-5 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2017)
$45,972 GS-5 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2017)
+$6,814 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 23.87% 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 $35,359 $1,359.96 $16.94 +$6,814
Step 2 $36,538 $1,405.31 $17.51 +$7,041
Step 3 $37,717 $1,450.65 $18.07 +$7,268
Step 4 $38,896 $1,496.00 $18.64 +$7,495
Step 5 $40,076 $1,541.38 $19.20 +$7,723
Step 6 $41,255 $1,586.73 $19.77 +$7,950
Step 7 $42,434 $1,632.08 $20.33 +$8,177
Step 8 $43,613 $1,677.42 $20.90 +$8,404
Step 9 $44,793 $1,722.81 $21.46 +$8,632
Step 10 $45,972 $1,768.15 $22.03 +$8,859
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 1 $35,359
  • Locality add-on +$6,814
  • Adjustment percent 23.87%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 10 $45,972

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 PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

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

For 2017, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 23.87% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,360 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,768. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $35,359 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,972. This is 23.87% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2017, it is 23.87%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,814 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,360 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.