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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,873 GS-5 Step 1 in LOS ANGELES (2020)
$51,837 GS-5 Step 10 in LOS ANGELES (2020)
+$9,760 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 pay table for LOS ANGELES

Each step below already includes the 32.41% 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 $39,873 $1,533.58 $19.11 +$9,760
Step 2 $41,202 $1,584.69 $19.74 +$10,085
Step 3 $42,531 $1,635.81 $20.38 +$10,410
Step 4 $43,861 $1,686.96 $21.02 +$10,736
Step 5 $45,190 $1,738.08 $21.65 +$11,061
Step 6 $46,520 $1,789.23 $22.29 +$11,387
Step 7 $47,849 $1,840.35 $22.93 +$11,712
Step 8 $49,178 $1,891.46 $23.56 +$12,037
Step 9 $50,508 $1,942.62 $24.20 +$12,363
Step 10 $51,837 $1,993.73 $24.84 +$12,688
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more LOS ANGELES pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • LOS ANGELES GS-5 Step 1 $39,873
  • Locality add-on +$9,760
  • Adjustment percent 32.41%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • LOS ANGELES GS-5 Step 10 $51,837

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 LOS ANGELES: what to expect

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

For 2020, the LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 32.41% 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 LOS ANGELES

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $1,534 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,994. 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 LOS ANGELES page.

Other grades in LOS ANGELES

GS-5 in LOS ANGELES questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in LOS ANGELES?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $39,873 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,837. This is 32.41% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in LOS ANGELES?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For LOS ANGELES in 2020, it is 32.41%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,760 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in LOS ANGELES?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $1,534 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.