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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,132 GS-5 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2018)
$49,574 GS-5 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2018)
+$9,187 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $38,132 $1,466.62 $18.27 +$9,187
Step 2 $39,403 $1,515.50 $18.88 +$9,493
Step 3 $40,675 $1,564.42 $19.49 +$9,800
Step 4 $41,946 $1,613.31 $20.10 +$10,106
Step 5 $43,217 $1,662.19 $20.71 +$10,412
Step 6 $44,489 $1,711.12 $21.32 +$10,719
Step 7 $45,760 $1,760.00 $21.93 +$11,025
Step 8 $47,031 $1,808.88 $22.54 +$11,331
Step 9 $48,302 $1,857.77 $23.14 +$11,637
Step 10 $49,574 $1,906.69 $23.75 +$11,944
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,945
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 1 $38,132
  • Locality add-on +$9,187
  • Adjustment percent 31.74%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,630
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 10 $49,574

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-5 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2018, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 31.74% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,467 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,907. 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-5 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-5 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $38,132 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,574. This is 31.74% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,187 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,467 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.