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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$42,505 GS-6 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2018)
$55,250 GS-6 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2018)
+$10,241 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $42,505 $1,634.81 $20.37 +$10,241
Step 2 $43,921 $1,689.27 $21.05 +$10,582
Step 3 $45,337 $1,743.73 $21.72 +$10,923
Step 4 $46,753 $1,798.19 $22.40 +$11,264
Step 5 $48,169 $1,852.65 $23.08 +$11,605
Step 6 $49,586 $1,907.15 $23.76 +$11,947
Step 7 $51,002 $1,961.62 $24.44 +$12,288
Step 8 $52,418 $2,016.08 $25.12 +$12,629
Step 9 $53,834 $2,070.54 $25.79 +$12,970
Step 10 $55,250 $2,125.00 $26.47 +$13,311
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $32,264
  • HOUSTON GS-6 Step 1 $42,505
  • Locality add-on +$10,241
  • Adjustment percent 31.74%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $41,939
  • HOUSTON GS-6 Step 10 $55,250

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-6 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2018, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 31.74% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,635 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,125. 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-6 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-6 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $42,505 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $55,250. This is 31.74% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,241 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,635 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.