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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,480 GS-12 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2020)
$103,328 GS-12 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2020)
+$13,313 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 20.12% 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 $79,480 $3,056.92 $38.08 +$13,313
Step 2 $82,130 $3,158.85 $39.35 +$13,757
Step 3 $84,779 $3,260.73 $40.62 +$14,200
Step 4 $87,429 $3,362.65 $41.89 +$14,644
Step 5 $90,079 $3,464.58 $43.16 +$15,088
Step 6 $92,729 $3,566.50 $44.43 +$15,532
Step 7 $95,379 $3,668.42 $45.70 +$15,976
Step 8 $98,029 $3,770.35 $46.97 +$16,420
Step 9 $100,679 $3,872.27 $48.24 +$16,864
Step 10 $103,328 $3,974.15 $49.51 +$17,307
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 1 $79,480
  • Locality add-on +$13,313
  • Adjustment percent 20.12%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • PHOENIX GS-12 Step 10 $103,328

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 20.12% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $3,057 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,974. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-12 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $79,480 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,328. This is 20.12% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2020, it is 20.12%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,313 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $3,057 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.