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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,764 GS-12 Step 1 in CINCINNATI (2020)
$103,698 GS-12 Step 10 in CINCINNATI (2020)
+$13,597 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for CINCINNATI

Each step below already includes the 20.55% 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 $79,764 $3,067.85 $38.22 +$13,597
Step 2 $82,424 $3,170.15 $39.49 +$14,051
Step 3 $85,083 $3,272.42 $40.77 +$14,504
Step 4 $87,742 $3,374.69 $42.04 +$14,957
Step 5 $90,402 $3,477.00 $43.32 +$15,411
Step 6 $93,061 $3,579.27 $44.59 +$15,864
Step 7 $95,720 $3,681.54 $45.86 +$16,317
Step 8 $98,380 $3,783.85 $47.14 +$16,771
Step 9 $101,039 $3,886.12 $48.41 +$17,224
Step 10 $103,698 $3,988.38 $49.69 +$17,677
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CINCINNATI pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • CINCINNATI GS-12 Step 1 $79,764
  • Locality add-on +$13,597
  • Adjustment percent 20.55%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • CINCINNATI GS-12 Step 10 $103,698

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 CINCINNATI: 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 CINCINNATI pay area adds a 20.55% 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 CINCINNATI

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $3,068 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,988. 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 CINCINNATI page.

Other grades in CINCINNATI

GS-12 in CINCINNATI questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in CINCINNATI?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns $79,764 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,698. This is 20.55% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in CINCINNATI?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CINCINNATI in 2020, it is 20.55%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,597 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in CINCINNATI?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $3,068 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.