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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,586 GS-5 Step 1 in LOS ANGELES (2019)
$50,158 GS-5 Step 10 in LOS ANGELES (2019)
+$9,236 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 pay table for LOS ANGELES

Each step below already includes the 31.47% 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 $38,586 $1,484.08 $18.49 +$9,236
Step 2 $39,872 $1,533.54 $19.10 +$9,544
Step 3 $41,158 $1,583.00 $19.72 +$9,852
Step 4 $42,444 $1,632.46 $20.34 +$10,160
Step 5 $43,730 $1,681.92 $20.95 +$10,468
Step 6 $45,015 $1,731.35 $21.57 +$10,775
Step 7 $46,301 $1,780.81 $22.19 +$11,083
Step 8 $47,587 $1,830.27 $22.80 +$11,391
Step 9 $48,873 $1,879.73 $23.42 +$11,699
Step 10 $50,158 $1,929.15 $24.03 +$12,006
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more LOS ANGELES pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • LOS ANGELES GS-5 Step 1 $38,586
  • Locality add-on +$9,236
  • Adjustment percent 31.47%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • LOS ANGELES GS-5 Step 10 $50,158

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 LOS ANGELES: what to expect

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

For 2019, the LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 31.47% 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 LOS ANGELES

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $1,484 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,929. 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 LOS ANGELES page.

Other grades in LOS ANGELES

GS-5 in LOS ANGELES questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in LOS ANGELES?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $38,586 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $50,158. This is 31.47% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in LOS ANGELES?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For LOS ANGELES in 2019, it is 31.47%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,236 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in LOS ANGELES?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $1,484 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.