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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,283 GS-5 Step 1 in RALEIGH (2020)
$47,171 GS-5 Step 10 in RALEIGH (2020)
+$6,170 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 pay table for RALEIGH

Each step below already includes the 20.49% 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 $36,283 $1,395.50 $17.39 +$6,170
Step 2 $37,493 $1,442.04 $17.97 +$6,376
Step 3 $38,703 $1,488.58 $18.54 +$6,582
Step 4 $39,912 $1,535.08 $19.12 +$6,787
Step 5 $41,122 $1,581.62 $19.70 +$6,993
Step 6 $42,332 $1,628.15 $20.28 +$7,199
Step 7 $43,541 $1,674.65 $20.86 +$7,404
Step 8 $44,751 $1,721.19 $21.44 +$7,610
Step 9 $45,961 $1,767.73 $22.02 +$7,816
Step 10 $47,171 $1,814.27 $22.60 +$8,022
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RALEIGH pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • RALEIGH GS-5 Step 1 $36,283
  • Locality add-on +$6,170
  • Adjustment percent 20.49%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • RALEIGH GS-5 Step 10 $47,171

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 RALEIGH: what to expect

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

For 2020, the RALEIGH pay area adds a 20.49% 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 RALEIGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $1,396 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,814. 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 RALEIGH page.

Other grades in RALEIGH

GS-5 in RALEIGH questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in RALEIGH?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns $36,283 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,171. This is 20.49% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in RALEIGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For RALEIGH in 2020, it is 20.49%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,170 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in RALEIGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $1,396 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.