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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,678 GS-12 Step 1 in CLEVELAND (2019)
$100,985 GS-12 Step 10 in CLEVELAND (2019)
+$13,188 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for CLEVELAND

Each step below already includes the 20.45% 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 $77,678 $2,987.62 $37.22 +$13,188
Step 2 $80,268 $3,087.23 $38.46 +$13,628
Step 3 $82,858 $3,186.85 $39.70 +$14,068
Step 4 $85,447 $3,286.42 $40.94 +$14,507
Step 5 $88,037 $3,386.04 $42.18 +$14,947
Step 6 $90,627 $3,485.65 $43.42 +$15,387
Step 7 $93,216 $3,585.23 $44.67 +$15,826
Step 8 $95,806 $3,684.85 $45.91 +$16,266
Step 9 $98,396 $3,784.46 $47.15 +$16,706
Step 10 $100,985 $3,884.04 $48.39 +$17,145
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CLEVELAND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • CLEVELAND GS-12 Step 1 $77,678
  • Locality add-on +$13,188
  • Adjustment percent 20.45%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • CLEVELAND GS-12 Step 10 $100,985

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 CLEVELAND: 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 CLEVELAND pay area adds a 20.45% 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 CLEVELAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $2,988 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,884. 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 CLEVELAND page.

Other grades in CLEVELAND

GS-12 in CLEVELAND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in CLEVELAND?
    In 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns $77,678 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,985. This is 20.45% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in CLEVELAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CLEVELAND in 2019, it is 20.45%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,188 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in CLEVELAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $2,988 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.