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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$44,752 GS-6 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2020)
$58,178 GS-6 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2020)
+$11,185 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-6 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 33.32% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $44,752 $1,721.23 $21.44 +$11,185
Step 2 $46,243 $1,778.58 $22.16 +$11,557
Step 3 $47,735 $1,835.96 $22.87 +$11,930
Step 4 $49,227 $1,893.35 $23.59 +$12,303
Step 5 $50,719 $1,950.73 $24.30 +$12,676
Step 6 $52,211 $2,008.12 $25.02 +$13,049
Step 7 $53,703 $2,065.50 $25.73 +$13,422
Step 8 $55,194 $2,122.85 $26.45 +$13,794
Step 9 $56,686 $2,180.23 $27.16 +$14,167
Step 10 $58,178 $2,237.62 $27.88 +$14,540
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $33,567
  • HOUSTON GS-6 Step 1 $44,752
  • Locality add-on +$11,185
  • Adjustment percent 33.32%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $43,638
  • HOUSTON GS-6 Step 10 $58,178

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-6 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2020, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 33.32% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,721 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,238. 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-6 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-6 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2020, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $44,752 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,178. This is 33.32% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2020, it is 33.32%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,185 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,721 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.