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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,725 GS-12 Step 1 in RALEIGH (2020)
$103,647 GS-12 Step 10 in RALEIGH (2020)
+$13,558 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for RALEIGH

Each step below already includes the 20.49% 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 $79,725 $3,066.35 $38.20 +$13,558
Step 2 $82,383 $3,168.58 $39.47 +$14,010
Step 3 $85,041 $3,270.81 $40.75 +$14,462
Step 4 $87,699 $3,373.04 $42.02 +$14,914
Step 5 $90,357 $3,475.27 $43.30 +$15,366
Step 6 $93,015 $3,577.50 $44.57 +$15,818
Step 7 $95,673 $3,679.73 $45.84 +$16,270
Step 8 $98,331 $3,781.96 $47.12 +$16,722
Step 9 $100,989 $3,884.19 $48.39 +$17,174
Step 10 $103,647 $3,986.42 $49.66 +$17,626
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RALEIGH pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • RALEIGH GS-12 Step 1 $79,725
  • Locality add-on +$13,558
  • Adjustment percent 20.49%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • RALEIGH GS-12 Step 10 $103,647

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 RALEIGH: 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 RALEIGH pay area adds a 20.49% 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 RALEIGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $3,066 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,986. 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 RALEIGH page.

Other grades in RALEIGH

GS-12 in RALEIGH questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in RALEIGH?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns $79,725 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,647. This is 20.49% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in RALEIGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For RALEIGH in 2020, it is 20.49%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,558 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in RALEIGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $3,066 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.