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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,063 GS-5 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2018)
$46,883 GS-5 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2018)
+$7,118 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-5 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 24.59% 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 $36,063 $1,387.04 $17.28 +$7,118
Step 2 $37,265 $1,433.27 $17.86 +$7,355
Step 3 $38,467 $1,479.50 $18.43 +$7,592
Step 4 $39,669 $1,525.73 $19.01 +$7,829
Step 5 $40,872 $1,572.00 $19.58 +$8,067
Step 6 $42,074 $1,618.23 $20.16 +$8,304
Step 7 $43,276 $1,664.46 $20.74 +$8,541
Step 8 $44,479 $1,710.73 $21.31 +$8,779
Step 9 $45,681 $1,756.96 $21.89 +$9,016
Step 10 $46,883 $1,803.19 $22.46 +$9,253
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,945
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 1 $36,063
  • Locality add-on +$7,118
  • Adjustment percent 24.59%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,630
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 10 $46,883

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 PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

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

For 2018, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 24.59% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,387 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,803. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2018, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $36,063 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,883. This is 24.59% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2018, it is 24.59%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,118 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,387 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.