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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$99,632 GS-13 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2018)
$129,523 GS-13 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2018)
+$24,004 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $99,632 $3,832.00 $47.74 +$24,004
Step 2 $102,953 $3,959.73 $49.33 +$24,804
Step 3 $106,275 $4,087.50 $50.92 +$25,605
Step 4 $109,596 $4,215.23 $52.51 +$26,405
Step 5 $112,917 $4,342.96 $54.10 +$27,205
Step 6 $116,238 $4,470.69 $55.70 +$28,005
Step 7 $119,559 $4,598.42 $57.29 +$28,805
Step 8 $122,880 $4,726.15 $58.88 +$29,605
Step 9 $126,202 $4,853.92 $60.47 +$30,406
Step 10 $129,523 $4,981.65 $62.06 +$31,206
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $75,628
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 1 $99,632
  • Locality add-on +$24,004
  • Adjustment percent 31.74%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $98,317
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 10 $129,523

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-13 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2018, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 31.74% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,832 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,982. 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-13 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-13 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $99,632 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $129,523. This is 31.74% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,004 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,832 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.