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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,776 GS-5 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2019)
$47,804 GS-5 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2019)
+$7,426 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 25.30% 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 $36,776 $1,414.46 $17.62 +$7,426
Step 2 $38,001 $1,461.58 $18.21 +$7,673
Step 3 $39,226 $1,508.69 $18.80 +$7,920
Step 4 $40,452 $1,555.85 $19.38 +$8,168
Step 5 $41,677 $1,602.96 $19.97 +$8,415
Step 6 $42,903 $1,650.12 $20.56 +$8,663
Step 7 $44,128 $1,697.23 $21.14 +$8,910
Step 8 $45,354 $1,744.38 $21.73 +$9,158
Step 9 $46,579 $1,791.50 $22.32 +$9,405
Step 10 $47,804 $1,838.62 $22.91 +$9,652
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 1 $36,776
  • Locality add-on +$7,426
  • Adjustment percent 25.30%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-5 Step 10 $47,804

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 PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

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

For 2019, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 25.30% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,414 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,839. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $36,776 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,804. This is 25.30% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2019, it is 25.30%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,426 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $1,414 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.