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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,142 GS-5 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2020)
$46,987 GS-5 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2020)
+$6,029 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 20.02% 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 $36,142 $1,390.08 $17.32 +$6,029
Step 2 $37,347 $1,436.42 $17.90 +$6,230
Step 3 $38,552 $1,482.77 $18.47 +$6,431
Step 4 $39,757 $1,529.12 $19.05 +$6,632
Step 5 $40,962 $1,575.46 $19.63 +$6,833
Step 6 $42,167 $1,621.81 $20.20 +$7,034
Step 7 $43,372 $1,668.15 $20.78 +$7,235
Step 8 $44,577 $1,714.50 $21.36 +$7,436
Step 9 $45,782 $1,760.85 $21.94 +$7,637
Step 10 $46,987 $1,807.19 $22.51 +$7,838
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 1 $36,142
  • Locality add-on +$6,029
  • Adjustment percent 20.02%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 10 $46,987

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 COLUMBUS: what to expect

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

For 2020, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 20.02% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,390 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,807. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-5 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $36,142 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,987. This is 20.02% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2020, it is 20.02%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,029 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,390 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.