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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$85,799 GS-12 Step 1 in Alaska (2020)
$111,543 GS-12 Step 10 in Alaska (2020)
+$19,632 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for Alaska

Each step below already includes the 29.67% 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 $85,799 $3,299.96 $41.11 +$19,632
Step 2 $88,659 $3,409.96 $42.48 +$20,286
Step 3 $91,520 $3,520.00 $43.85 +$20,941
Step 4 $94,380 $3,630.00 $45.22 +$21,595
Step 5 $97,241 $3,740.04 $46.59 +$22,250
Step 6 $100,101 $3,850.04 $47.96 +$22,904
Step 7 $102,962 $3,960.08 $49.33 +$23,559
Step 8 $105,822 $4,070.08 $50.71 +$24,213
Step 9 $108,683 $4,180.12 $52.08 +$24,868
Step 10 $111,543 $4,290.12 $53.45 +$25,522

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Alaska pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • Alaska GS-12 Step 1 $85,799
  • Locality add-on +$19,632
  • Adjustment percent 29.67%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • Alaska GS-12 Step 10 $111,543

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 Alaska: 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 Alaska pay area adds a 29.67% 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 Alaska

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Alaska earns roughly $3,300 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,290. 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 Alaska page.

Other grades in Alaska

GS-12 in Alaska questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Alaska?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Alaska earns $85,799 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $111,543. This is 29.67% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Alaska?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Alaska in 2020, it is 29.67%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,632 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Alaska?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Alaska earns roughly $3,300 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.