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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,301 GS-5 Step 1 in CINCINNATI (2020)
$47,194 GS-5 Step 10 in CINCINNATI (2020)
+$6,188 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 pay table for CINCINNATI

Each step below already includes the 20.55% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,301 $1,396.19 $17.39 +$6,188
Step 2 $37,512 $1,442.77 $17.97 +$6,395
Step 3 $38,722 $1,489.31 $18.55 +$6,601
Step 4 $39,932 $1,535.85 $19.13 +$6,807
Step 5 $41,143 $1,582.42 $19.71 +$7,014
Step 6 $42,353 $1,628.96 $20.29 +$7,220
Step 7 $43,563 $1,675.50 $20.87 +$7,426
Step 8 $44,773 $1,722.04 $21.45 +$7,632
Step 9 $45,984 $1,768.62 $22.03 +$7,839
Step 10 $47,194 $1,815.15 $22.61 +$8,045
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CINCINNATI pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • CINCINNATI GS-5 Step 1 $36,301
  • Locality add-on +$6,188
  • Adjustment percent 20.55%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • CINCINNATI GS-5 Step 10 $47,194

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-5 in CINCINNATI: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2020, the CINCINNATI pay area adds a 20.55% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in CINCINNATI

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $1,396 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,815. 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-5 CINCINNATI page.

Other grades in CINCINNATI

GS-5 in CINCINNATI questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in CINCINNATI?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns $36,301 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,194. This is 20.55% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in CINCINNATI?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CINCINNATI in 2020, it is 20.55%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,188 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in CINCINNATI?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $1,396 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.