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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,741 GS-12 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2018)
$98,464 GS-12 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2018)
+$12,141 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 19.09% 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 $75,741 $2,913.12 $36.29 +$12,141
Step 2 $78,266 $3,010.23 $37.50 +$12,546
Step 3 $80,791 $3,107.35 $38.71 +$12,951
Step 4 $83,315 $3,204.42 $39.92 +$13,355
Step 5 $85,840 $3,301.54 $41.13 +$13,760
Step 6 $88,365 $3,398.65 $42.34 +$14,165
Step 7 $90,889 $3,495.73 $43.55 +$14,569
Step 8 $93,414 $3,592.85 $44.76 +$14,974
Step 9 $95,939 $3,689.96 $45.97 +$15,379
Step 10 $98,464 $3,787.08 $47.18 +$15,784
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 1 $75,741
  • Locality add-on +$12,141
  • Adjustment percent 19.09%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 10 $98,464

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 19.09% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,913 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,787. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-12 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $75,741 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,464. This is 19.09% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2018, it is 19.09%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,141 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,913 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.