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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$58,942 GS-9 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2019)
$76,620 GS-9 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2019)
+$14,471 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $58,942 $2,267.00 $28.24 +$14,471
Step 2 $60,906 $2,342.54 $29.18 +$14,953
Step 3 $62,870 $2,418.08 $30.12 +$15,435
Step 4 $64,835 $2,493.65 $31.07 +$15,918
Step 5 $66,799 $2,569.19 $32.01 +$16,400
Step 6 $68,763 $2,644.73 $32.95 +$16,882
Step 7 $70,727 $2,720.27 $33.89 +$17,364
Step 8 $72,692 $2,795.85 $34.83 +$17,847
Step 9 $74,656 $2,871.38 $35.77 +$18,329
Step 10 $76,620 $2,946.92 $36.71 +$18,811
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $44,471
  • HOUSTON GS-9 Step 1 $58,942
  • Locality add-on +$14,471
  • Adjustment percent 32.54%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $57,809
  • HOUSTON GS-9 Step 10 $76,620

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-9 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2019, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 32.54% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-9 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $2,267 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,947. 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-9 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-9 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2019, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $58,942 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $76,620. This is 32.54% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,471 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $2,267 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.