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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,464 GS-5 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2017)
$46,109 GS-5 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2017)
+$6,919 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,464 $1,364.00 $16.99 +$6,919
Step 2 $36,647 $1,409.50 $17.56 +$7,150
Step 3 $37,830 $1,455.00 $18.13 +$7,381
Step 4 $39,013 $1,500.50 $18.69 +$7,612
Step 5 $40,195 $1,545.96 $19.26 +$7,842
Step 6 $41,378 $1,591.46 $19.83 +$8,073
Step 7 $42,561 $1,636.96 $20.39 +$8,304
Step 8 $43,744 $1,682.46 $20.96 +$8,535
Step 9 $44,926 $1,727.92 $21.53 +$8,765
Step 10 $46,109 $1,773.42 $22.09 +$8,996
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • SEATTLE GS-5 Step 1 $35,464
  • Locality add-on +$6,919
  • Adjustment percent 24.24%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • SEATTLE GS-5 Step 10 $46,109

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 SEATTLE: what to expect

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

For 2017, the SEATTLE pay area adds a 24.24% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $1,364 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,773. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-5 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $35,464 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,109. This is 24.24% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,919 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $1,364 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.