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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,340 GS-5 Step 1 in DETROIT (2020)
$49,845 GS-5 Step 10 in DETROIT (2020)
+$8,227 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 pay table for DETROIT

Each step below already includes the 27.32% 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 $38,340 $1,474.62 $18.37 +$8,227
Step 2 $39,618 $1,523.77 $18.98 +$8,501
Step 3 $40,896 $1,572.92 $19.60 +$8,775
Step 4 $42,175 $1,622.12 $20.21 +$9,050
Step 5 $43,453 $1,671.27 $20.82 +$9,324
Step 6 $44,731 $1,720.42 $21.43 +$9,598
Step 7 $46,010 $1,769.62 $22.05 +$9,873
Step 8 $47,288 $1,818.77 $22.66 +$10,147
Step 9 $48,566 $1,867.92 $23.27 +$10,421
Step 10 $49,845 $1,917.12 $23.88 +$10,696
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DETROIT pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • DETROIT GS-5 Step 1 $38,340
  • Locality add-on +$8,227
  • Adjustment percent 27.32%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • DETROIT GS-5 Step 10 $49,845

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 DETROIT: what to expect

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

For 2020, the DETROIT pay area adds a 27.32% 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 DETROIT

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $1,475 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,917. 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 DETROIT page.

Other grades in DETROIT

GS-5 in DETROIT questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DETROIT?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns $38,340 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,845. This is 27.32% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in DETROIT?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DETROIT in 2020, it is 27.32%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,227 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in DETROIT?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $1,475 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.