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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,204 GS-12 Step 1 in ALBUQUERQUE (2020)
$100,369 GS-12 Step 10 in ALBUQUERQUE (2020)
+$11,037 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for ALBUQUERQUE

Each step below already includes the 16.68% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $77,204 $2,969.38 $36.99 +$11,037
Step 2 $79,778 $3,068.38 $38.23 +$11,405
Step 3 $82,352 $3,167.38 $39.46 +$11,773
Step 4 $84,926 $3,266.38 $40.69 +$12,141
Step 5 $87,499 $3,365.35 $41.93 +$12,508
Step 6 $90,073 $3,464.35 $43.16 +$12,876
Step 7 $92,647 $3,563.35 $44.39 +$13,244
Step 8 $95,221 $3,662.35 $45.63 +$13,612
Step 9 $97,795 $3,761.35 $46.86 +$13,980
Step 10 $100,369 $3,860.35 $48.09 +$14,348
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ALBUQUERQUE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-12 Step 1 $77,204
  • Locality add-on +$11,037
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-12 Step 10 $100,369

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-12 in ALBUQUERQUE: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2020, the ALBUQUERQUE pay area adds a 16.68% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $2,969 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,860. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 ALBUQUERQUE page.

Other grades in ALBUQUERQUE

GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in ALBUQUERQUE?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns $77,204 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,369. This is 16.68% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ALBUQUERQUE in 2020, it is 16.68%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,037 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $2,969 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.