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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,929 GS-12 Step 1 in PORTLAND (2018)
$101,308 GS-12 Step 10 in PORTLAND (2018)
+$14,329 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for PORTLAND

Each step below already includes the 22.53% 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 $77,929 $2,997.27 $37.34 +$14,329
Step 2 $80,527 $3,097.19 $38.59 +$14,807
Step 3 $83,124 $3,197.08 $39.83 +$15,284
Step 4 $85,722 $3,297.00 $41.07 +$15,762
Step 5 $88,320 $3,396.92 $42.32 +$16,240
Step 6 $90,917 $3,496.81 $43.56 +$16,717
Step 7 $93,515 $3,596.73 $44.81 +$17,195
Step 8 $96,113 $3,696.65 $46.05 +$17,673
Step 9 $98,710 $3,796.54 $47.30 +$18,150
Step 10 $101,308 $3,896.46 $48.54 +$18,628
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PORTLAND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 1 $77,929
  • Locality add-on +$14,329
  • Adjustment percent 22.53%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 10 $101,308

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 PORTLAND: 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 PORTLAND pay area adds a 22.53% 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 PORTLAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,997 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,896. 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 PORTLAND page.

Other grades in PORTLAND

GS-12 in PORTLAND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PORTLAND?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns $77,929 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,308. This is 22.53% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PORTLAND in 2018, it is 22.53%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,329 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $2,997 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.