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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,414 GS-12 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2020)
$103,242 GS-12 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2020)
+$13,247 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 20.02% 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 $79,414 $3,054.38 $38.05 +$13,247
Step 2 $82,061 $3,156.19 $39.32 +$13,688
Step 3 $84,709 $3,258.04 $40.59 +$14,130
Step 4 $87,357 $3,359.88 $41.86 +$14,572
Step 5 $90,004 $3,461.69 $43.13 +$15,013
Step 6 $92,652 $3,563.54 $44.39 +$15,455
Step 7 $95,299 $3,665.35 $45.66 +$15,896
Step 8 $97,947 $3,767.19 $46.93 +$16,338
Step 9 $100,595 $3,869.04 $48.20 +$16,780
Step 10 $103,242 $3,970.85 $49.47 +$17,221
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 1 $79,414
  • Locality add-on +$13,247
  • Adjustment percent 20.02%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • COLUMBUS GS-12 Step 10 $103,242

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 COLUMBUS: 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 COLUMBUS pay area adds a 20.02% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $3,054 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,971. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-12 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $79,414 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,242. This is 20.02% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2020, it is 20.02%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,247 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $3,054 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.