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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$104,898 GS-13 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2020)
$136,370 GS-13 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2020)
+$26,217 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-13 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 33.32% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $104,898 $4,034.54 $50.26 +$26,217
Step 2 $108,394 $4,169.00 $51.94 +$27,090
Step 3 $111,891 $4,303.50 $53.61 +$27,964
Step 4 $115,388 $4,438.00 $55.29 +$28,838
Step 5 $118,885 $4,572.50 $56.96 +$29,712
Step 6 $122,382 $4,707.00 $58.64 +$30,586
Step 7 $125,879 $4,841.50 $60.32 +$31,460
Step 8 $129,376 $4,976.00 $61.99 +$32,334
Step 9 $132,873 $5,110.50 $63.67 +$33,208
Step 10 $136,370 $5,245.00 $65.34 +$34,082
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $78,681
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 1 $104,898
  • Locality add-on +$26,217
  • Adjustment percent 33.32%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $102,288
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 10 $136,370

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-13 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2020, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 33.32% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $4,035 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,245. 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-13 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-13 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2020, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $104,898 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $136,370. This is 33.32% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2020, it is 33.32%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,217 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $4,035 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.