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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$81,875 GS-12 Step 1 in PORTLAND (2020)
$106,442 GS-12 Step 10 in PORTLAND (2020)
+$15,708 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for PORTLAND

Each step below already includes the 23.74% 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 $81,875 $3,149.04 $39.23 +$15,708
Step 2 $84,605 $3,254.04 $40.54 +$16,232
Step 3 $87,334 $3,359.00 $41.85 +$16,755
Step 4 $90,064 $3,464.00 $43.15 +$17,279
Step 5 $92,794 $3,569.00 $44.46 +$17,803
Step 6 $95,524 $3,674.00 $45.77 +$18,327
Step 7 $98,253 $3,778.96 $47.08 +$18,850
Step 8 $100,983 $3,883.96 $48.39 +$19,374
Step 9 $103,713 $3,988.96 $49.69 +$19,898
Step 10 $106,442 $4,093.92 $51.00 +$20,421
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PORTLAND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 1 $81,875
  • Locality add-on +$15,708
  • Adjustment percent 23.74%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • PORTLAND GS-12 Step 10 $106,442

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 PORTLAND: 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 PORTLAND pay area adds a 23.74% 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 PORTLAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $3,149 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,094. 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 PORTLAND page.

Other grades in PORTLAND

GS-12 in PORTLAND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in PORTLAND?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns $81,875 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $106,442. This is 23.74% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PORTLAND in 2020, it is 23.74%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,708 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in PORTLAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in PORTLAND earns roughly $3,149 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.