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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,130 GS-12 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2019)
$100,273 GS-12 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2019)
+$12,640 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 19.60% 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 $77,130 $2,966.54 $36.96 +$12,640
Step 2 $79,701 $3,065.42 $38.19 +$13,061
Step 3 $82,273 $3,164.35 $39.42 +$13,483
Step 4 $84,844 $3,263.23 $40.65 +$13,904
Step 5 $87,416 $3,362.15 $41.89 +$14,326
Step 6 $89,987 $3,461.04 $43.12 +$14,747
Step 7 $92,558 $3,559.92 $44.35 +$15,168
Step 8 $95,130 $3,658.85 $45.58 +$15,590
Step 9 $97,701 $3,757.73 $46.81 +$16,011
Step 10 $100,273 $3,856.65 $48.05 +$16,433
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 1 $77,130
  • Locality add-on +$12,640
  • Adjustment percent 19.60%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 10 $100,273

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 19.60% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,967 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,857. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-12 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $77,130 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,273. This is 19.60% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2019, it is 19.60%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,640 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $2,967 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.