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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,397 GS-12 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2020)
$108,421 GS-12 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2020)
+$17,230 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 26.04% 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 $83,397 $3,207.58 $39.96 +$17,230
Step 2 $86,177 $3,314.50 $41.29 +$17,804
Step 3 $88,958 $3,421.46 $42.62 +$18,379
Step 4 $91,738 $3,528.38 $43.96 +$18,953
Step 5 $94,519 $3,635.35 $45.29 +$19,528
Step 6 $97,299 $3,742.27 $46.62 +$20,102
Step 7 $100,080 $3,849.23 $47.95 +$20,677
Step 8 $102,860 $3,956.15 $49.29 +$21,251
Step 9 $105,640 $4,063.08 $50.62 +$21,825
Step 10 $108,421 $4,170.04 $51.95 +$22,400
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 1 $83,397
  • Locality add-on +$17,230
  • Adjustment percent 26.04%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-12 Step 10 $108,421

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 PHILADELPHIA: 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 PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 26.04% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $3,208 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,170. 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $83,397 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $108,421. This is 26.04% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2020, it is 26.04%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,230 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $3,208 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.