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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,900 GS-5 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2019)
$50,567 GS-5 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2019)
+$9,550 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 32.54% 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 $38,900 $1,496.15 $18.64 +$9,550
Step 2 $40,197 $1,546.04 $19.26 +$9,869
Step 3 $41,493 $1,595.88 $19.88 +$10,187
Step 4 $42,789 $1,645.73 $20.50 +$10,505
Step 5 $44,085 $1,695.58 $21.12 +$10,823
Step 6 $45,382 $1,745.46 $21.75 +$11,142
Step 7 $46,678 $1,795.31 $22.37 +$11,460
Step 8 $47,974 $1,845.15 $22.99 +$11,778
Step 9 $49,270 $1,895.00 $23.61 +$12,096
Step 10 $50,567 $1,944.88 $24.23 +$12,415
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 1 $38,900
  • Locality add-on +$9,550
  • Adjustment percent 32.54%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • HOUSTON GS-5 Step 10 $50,567

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 HOUSTON: what to expect

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

For 2019, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 32.54% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,496 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,945. 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 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-5 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $38,900 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $50,567. This is 32.54% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2019, it is 32.54%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,550 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,496 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.