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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$88,651 GS-12 Step 1 in New York (2020)
$115,251 GS-12 Step 10 in New York (2020)
+$22,484 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for New York

Each step below already includes the 33.98% 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 $88,651 $3,409.65 $42.48 +$22,484
Step 2 $91,606 $3,523.31 $43.89 +$23,233
Step 3 $94,562 $3,637.00 $45.31 +$23,983
Step 4 $97,517 $3,750.65 $46.73 +$24,732
Step 5 $100,473 $3,864.35 $48.14 +$25,482
Step 6 $103,429 $3,978.04 $49.56 +$26,232
Step 7 $106,384 $4,091.69 $50.97 +$26,981
Step 8 $109,340 $4,205.38 $52.39 +$27,731
Step 9 $112,295 $4,319.04 $53.81 +$28,480
Step 10 $115,251 $4,432.73 $55.22 +$29,230
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more New York pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • New York GS-12 Step 1 $88,651
  • Locality add-on +$22,484
  • Adjustment percent 33.98%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • New York GS-12 Step 10 $115,251

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 New York: 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 New York pay area adds a 33.98% 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 New York

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns roughly $3,410 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,433. 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 New York page.

Other grades in New York

GS-12 in New York questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in New York?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns $88,651 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $115,251. This is 33.98% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in New York?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For New York in 2020, it is 33.98%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,484 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in New York?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns roughly $3,410 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.