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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,665 GS-12 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2018)
$98,364 GS-12 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2018)
+$12,065 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 18.97% 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 $75,665 $2,910.19 $36.26 +$12,065
Step 2 $78,187 $3,007.19 $37.46 +$12,467
Step 3 $80,709 $3,104.19 $38.67 +$12,869
Step 4 $83,231 $3,201.19 $39.88 +$13,271
Step 5 $85,754 $3,298.23 $41.09 +$13,674
Step 6 $88,276 $3,395.23 $42.30 +$14,076
Step 7 $90,798 $3,492.23 $43.51 +$14,478
Step 8 $93,320 $3,589.23 $44.71 +$14,880
Step 9 $95,842 $3,686.23 $45.92 +$15,282
Step 10 $98,364 $3,783.23 $47.13 +$15,684
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 1 $75,665
  • Locality add-on +$12,065
  • Adjustment percent 18.97%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 10 $98,364

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 COLUMBUS: 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 2018, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 18.97% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,910 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,783. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-12 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $75,665 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,364. This is 18.97% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2018, it is 18.97%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,065 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,910 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.