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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$52,310 GS-8 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2018)
$68,008 GS-8 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2018)
+$12,603 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $52,310 $2,011.92 $25.06 +$12,603
Step 2 $54,054 $2,079.00 $25.90 +$13,023
Step 3 $55,798 $2,146.08 $26.74 +$13,443
Step 4 $57,543 $2,213.19 $27.57 +$13,864
Step 5 $59,287 $2,280.27 $28.41 +$14,284
Step 6 $61,031 $2,347.35 $29.24 +$14,704
Step 7 $62,775 $2,414.42 $30.08 +$15,124
Step 8 $64,520 $2,481.54 $30.92 +$15,545
Step 9 $66,264 $2,548.62 $31.75 +$15,965
Step 10 $68,008 $2,615.69 $32.59 +$16,385
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $39,707
  • HOUSTON GS-8 Step 1 $52,310
  • Locality add-on +$12,603
  • Adjustment percent 31.74%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $51,623
  • HOUSTON GS-8 Step 10 $68,008

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-8 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2018, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 31.74% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $2,012 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,616. 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-8 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-8 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $52,310 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $68,008. This is 31.74% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,603 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $2,012 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.