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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,541 GS-12 Step 1 in TUCSON (2020)
$100,808 GS-12 Step 10 in TUCSON (2020)
+$11,374 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 17.19% 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 $77,541 $2,982.35 $37.15 +$11,374
Step 2 $80,126 $3,081.77 $38.39 +$11,753
Step 3 $82,712 $3,181.23 $39.63 +$12,133
Step 4 $85,297 $3,280.65 $40.87 +$12,512
Step 5 $87,882 $3,380.08 $42.11 +$12,891
Step 6 $90,467 $3,479.50 $43.35 +$13,270
Step 7 $93,052 $3,578.92 $44.59 +$13,649
Step 8 $95,638 $3,678.38 $45.83 +$14,029
Step 9 $98,223 $3,777.81 $47.06 +$14,408
Step 10 $100,808 $3,877.23 $48.30 +$14,787

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 1 $77,541
  • Locality add-on +$11,374
  • Adjustment percent 17.19%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 10 $100,808

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 17.19% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $2,982 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,877. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-12 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in TUCSON?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $77,541 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,808. This is 17.19% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2020, it is 17.19%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,374 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $2,982 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.