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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,064 GS-5 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2019)
$45,580 GS-5 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2019)
+$5,714 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,064 $1,348.62 $16.80 +$5,714
Step 2 $36,233 $1,393.58 $17.36 +$5,905
Step 3 $37,401 $1,438.50 $17.92 +$6,095
Step 4 $38,570 $1,483.46 $18.48 +$6,286
Step 5 $39,738 $1,528.38 $19.04 +$6,476
Step 6 $40,907 $1,573.35 $19.60 +$6,667
Step 7 $42,075 $1,618.27 $20.16 +$6,857
Step 8 $43,243 $1,663.19 $20.72 +$7,047
Step 9 $44,412 $1,708.15 $21.28 +$7,238
Step 10 $45,580 $1,753.08 $21.84 +$7,428
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 1 $35,064
  • Locality add-on +$5,714
  • Adjustment percent 19.47%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 10 $45,580

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-5 in COLUMBUS: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2019, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 19.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,349 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,753. 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-5 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-5 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $35,064 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,580. This is 19.47% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,714 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,349 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.