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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,787 GS-12 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2018)
$108,923 GS-12 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2018)
+$20,187 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 31.74% 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 $83,787 $3,222.58 $40.15 +$20,187
Step 2 $86,580 $3,330.00 $41.49 +$20,860
Step 3 $89,372 $3,437.38 $42.82 +$21,532
Step 4 $92,165 $3,544.81 $44.16 +$22,205
Step 5 $94,958 $3,652.23 $45.50 +$22,878
Step 6 $97,751 $3,759.65 $46.84 +$23,551
Step 7 $100,544 $3,867.08 $48.18 +$24,224
Step 8 $103,337 $3,974.50 $49.51 +$24,897
Step 9 $106,130 $4,081.92 $50.85 +$25,570
Step 10 $108,923 $4,189.35 $52.19 +$26,243
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 1 $83,787
  • Locality add-on +$20,187
  • Adjustment percent 31.74%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 10 $108,923

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 HOUSTON: 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 HOUSTON pay area adds a 31.74% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,223 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,189. 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 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-12 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $83,787 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $108,923. This is 31.74% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2018, it is 31.74%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,187 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,223 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.