An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,707 GS-12 Step 1 in CHARLOTTE (2020)
$101,023 GS-12 Step 10 in CHARLOTTE (2020)
+$11,540 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for CHARLOTTE

Each step below already includes the 17.44% 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 $77,707 $2,988.73 $37.23 +$11,540
Step 2 $80,297 $3,088.35 $38.47 +$11,924
Step 3 $82,888 $3,188.00 $39.72 +$12,309
Step 4 $85,479 $3,287.65 $40.96 +$12,694
Step 5 $88,069 $3,387.27 $42.20 +$13,078
Step 6 $90,660 $3,486.92 $43.44 +$13,463
Step 7 $93,251 $3,586.58 $44.68 +$13,848
Step 8 $95,842 $3,686.23 $45.92 +$14,233
Step 9 $98,432 $3,785.85 $47.16 +$14,617
Step 10 $101,023 $3,885.50 $48.41 +$15,002
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHARLOTTE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • CHARLOTTE GS-12 Step 1 $77,707
  • Locality add-on +$11,540
  • Adjustment percent 17.44%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • CHARLOTTE GS-12 Step 10 $101,023

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 CHARLOTTE: 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 CHARLOTTE pay area adds a 17.44% 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 CHARLOTTE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns roughly $2,989 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,886. 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 CHARLOTTE page.

Other grades in CHARLOTTE

GS-12 in CHARLOTTE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in CHARLOTTE?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns $77,707 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,023. This is 17.44% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in CHARLOTTE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHARLOTTE in 2020, it is 17.44%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,540 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in CHARLOTTE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns roughly $2,989 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.