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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,219 GS-5 Step 1 in DETROIT (2019)
$48,381 GS-5 Step 10 in DETROIT (2019)
+$7,869 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 pay table for DETROIT

Each step below already includes the 26.81% 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 $37,219 $1,431.50 $17.83 +$7,869
Step 2 $38,459 $1,479.19 $18.43 +$8,131
Step 3 $39,699 $1,526.88 $19.02 +$8,393
Step 4 $40,939 $1,574.58 $19.62 +$8,655
Step 5 $42,180 $1,622.31 $20.21 +$8,918
Step 6 $43,420 $1,670.00 $20.80 +$9,180
Step 7 $44,660 $1,717.69 $21.40 +$9,442
Step 8 $45,900 $1,765.38 $21.99 +$9,704
Step 9 $47,140 $1,813.08 $22.59 +$9,966
Step 10 $48,381 $1,860.81 $23.18 +$10,229
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DETROIT pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • DETROIT GS-5 Step 1 $37,219
  • Locality add-on +$7,869
  • Adjustment percent 26.81%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • DETROIT GS-5 Step 10 $48,381

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 DETROIT: what to expect

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

For 2019, the DETROIT pay area adds a 26.81% 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 DETROIT

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $1,432 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,861. 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 DETROIT page.

Other grades in DETROIT

GS-5 in DETROIT questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DETROIT?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns $37,219 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,381. This is 26.81% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in DETROIT?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DETROIT in 2019, it is 26.81%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,869 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in DETROIT?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $1,432 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.