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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,043 GS-12 Step 1 in LOS ANGELES (2018)
$107,955 GS-12 Step 10 in LOS ANGELES (2018)
+$19,443 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for LOS ANGELES

Each step below already includes the 30.57% 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 $83,043 $3,193.96 $39.79 +$19,443
Step 2 $85,811 $3,300.42 $41.12 +$20,091
Step 3 $88,579 $3,406.88 $42.44 +$20,739
Step 4 $91,347 $3,513.35 $43.77 +$21,387
Step 5 $94,115 $3,619.81 $45.10 +$22,035
Step 6 $96,883 $3,726.27 $46.42 +$22,683
Step 7 $99,651 $3,832.73 $47.75 +$23,331
Step 8 $102,419 $3,939.19 $49.07 +$23,979
Step 9 $105,187 $4,045.65 $50.40 +$24,627
Step 10 $107,955 $4,152.12 $51.73 +$25,275
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more LOS ANGELES pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • LOS ANGELES GS-12 Step 1 $83,043
  • Locality add-on +$19,443
  • Adjustment percent 30.57%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • LOS ANGELES GS-12 Step 10 $107,955

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 LOS ANGELES: 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 LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 30.57% 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 LOS ANGELES

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $3,194 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,152. 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 LOS ANGELES page.

Other grades in LOS ANGELES

GS-12 in LOS ANGELES questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in LOS ANGELES?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $83,043 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $107,955. This is 30.57% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in LOS ANGELES?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For LOS ANGELES in 2018, it is 30.57%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,443 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in LOS ANGELES?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $3,194 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.