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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,295 GS-12 Step 1 in DETROIT (2018)
$104,384 GS-12 Step 10 in DETROIT (2018)
+$16,695 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for DETROIT

Each step below already includes the 26.25% 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 $80,295 $3,088.27 $38.47 +$16,695
Step 2 $82,972 $3,191.23 $39.76 +$17,252
Step 3 $85,648 $3,294.15 $41.04 +$17,808
Step 4 $88,325 $3,397.12 $42.32 +$18,365
Step 5 $91,001 $3,500.04 $43.60 +$18,921
Step 6 $93,678 $3,603.00 $44.89 +$19,478
Step 7 $96,354 $3,705.92 $46.17 +$20,034
Step 8 $99,031 $3,808.88 $47.45 +$20,591
Step 9 $101,707 $3,911.81 $48.73 +$21,147
Step 10 $104,384 $4,014.77 $50.02 +$21,704
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DETROIT pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • DETROIT GS-12 Step 1 $80,295
  • Locality add-on +$16,695
  • Adjustment percent 26.25%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • DETROIT GS-12 Step 10 $104,384

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 DETROIT: 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 DETROIT pay area adds a 26.25% 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 DETROIT

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $3,088 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,015. 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 DETROIT page.

Other grades in DETROIT

GS-12 in DETROIT questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in DETROIT?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns $80,295 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $104,384. This is 26.25% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in DETROIT?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DETROIT in 2018, it is 26.25%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,695 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in DETROIT?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $3,088 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.