An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,247 GS-12 Step 1 in TUCSON (2019)
$97,825 GS-12 Step 10 in TUCSON (2019)
+$10,757 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 16.68% 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 $75,247 $2,894.12 $36.06 +$10,757
Step 2 $77,756 $2,990.62 $37.26 +$11,116
Step 3 $80,264 $3,087.08 $38.46 +$11,474
Step 4 $82,773 $3,183.58 $39.66 +$11,833
Step 5 $85,281 $3,280.04 $40.86 +$12,191
Step 6 $87,790 $3,376.54 $42.07 +$12,550
Step 7 $90,299 $3,473.04 $43.27 +$12,909
Step 8 $92,807 $3,569.50 $44.47 +$13,267
Step 9 $95,316 $3,666.00 $45.67 +$13,626
Step 10 $97,825 $3,762.50 $46.87 +$13,985

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 1 $75,247
  • Locality add-on +$10,757
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 10 $97,825

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 16.68% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $2,894 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,763. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-12 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in TUCSON?
    In 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $75,247 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,825. This is 16.68% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2019, it is 16.68%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,757 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $2,894 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.