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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,046 GS-12 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2019)
$100,164 GS-12 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2019)
+$12,556 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 19.47% 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 $77,046 $2,963.31 $36.92 +$12,556
Step 2 $79,615 $3,062.12 $38.15 +$12,975
Step 3 $82,183 $3,160.88 $39.38 +$13,393
Step 4 $84,752 $3,259.69 $40.61 +$13,812
Step 5 $87,321 $3,358.50 $41.84 +$14,231
Step 6 $89,889 $3,457.27 $43.07 +$14,649
Step 7 $92,458 $3,556.08 $44.30 +$15,068
Step 8 $95,026 $3,654.85 $45.53 +$15,486
Step 9 $97,595 $3,753.65 $46.76 +$15,905
Step 10 $100,164 $3,852.46 $47.99 +$16,324
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 1 $77,046
  • Locality add-on +$12,556
  • Adjustment percent 19.47%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 10 $100,164

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 COLUMBUS: 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 COLUMBUS pay area adds a 19.47% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,963 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,852. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-12 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $77,046 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,164. This is 19.47% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2019, it is 19.47%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,556 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $2,963 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.