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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$73,884 GS-12 Step 1 in TUCSON (2018)
$96,049 GS-12 Step 10 in TUCSON (2018)
+$10,284 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 16.17% 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 $73,884 $2,841.69 $35.40 +$10,284
Step 2 $76,347 $2,936.42 $36.58 +$10,627
Step 3 $78,810 $3,031.15 $37.76 +$10,970
Step 4 $81,273 $3,125.88 $38.94 +$11,313
Step 5 $83,735 $3,220.58 $40.12 +$11,655
Step 6 $86,198 $3,315.31 $41.30 +$11,998
Step 7 $88,661 $3,410.04 $42.48 +$12,341
Step 8 $91,124 $3,504.77 $43.66 +$12,684
Step 9 $93,587 $3,599.50 $44.84 +$13,027
Step 10 $96,049 $3,694.19 $46.02 +$13,369

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 1 $73,884
  • Locality add-on +$10,284
  • Adjustment percent 16.17%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 10 $96,049

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 16.17% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $2,842 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,694. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-12 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in TUCSON?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $73,884 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,049. This is 16.17% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2018, it is 16.17%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,284 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $2,842 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.