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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,750 GS-12 Step 1 in AUSTIN (2019)
$98,478 GS-12 Step 10 in AUSTIN (2019)
+$11,260 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for AUSTIN

Each step below already includes the 17.46% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $75,750 $2,913.46 $36.30 +$11,260
Step 2 $78,275 $3,010.58 $37.51 +$11,635
Step 3 $80,801 $3,107.73 $38.72 +$12,011
Step 4 $83,326 $3,204.85 $39.93 +$12,386
Step 5 $85,852 $3,302.00 $41.14 +$12,762
Step 6 $88,377 $3,399.12 $42.35 +$13,137
Step 7 $90,902 $3,496.23 $43.56 +$13,512
Step 8 $93,428 $3,593.38 $44.77 +$13,888
Step 9 $95,953 $3,690.50 $45.98 +$14,263
Step 10 $98,478 $3,787.62 $47.19 +$14,638

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more AUSTIN pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • AUSTIN GS-12 Step 1 $75,750
  • Locality add-on +$11,260
  • Adjustment percent 17.46%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • AUSTIN GS-12 Step 10 $98,478

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-12 in AUSTIN: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2019, the AUSTIN pay area adds a 17.46% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 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-12 in AUSTIN

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns roughly $2,913 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,788. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 AUSTIN page.

Other grades in AUSTIN

GS-12 in AUSTIN questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in AUSTIN?
    In 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns $75,750 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,478. This is 17.46% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in AUSTIN?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For AUSTIN in 2019, it is 17.46%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,260 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in AUSTIN?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns roughly $2,913 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.