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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$26,315 GS-1 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2021)
$32,917 GS-1 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2021)
+$6,577 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-1 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-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $26,315 $1,012.12 $12.61 +$6,577
Step 2 $27,197 $1,046.04 $13.03 +$6,797
Step 3 $28,072 $1,079.69 $13.45 +$7,016
Step 4 $28,942 $1,113.15 $13.87 +$7,233
Step 5 $29,817 $1,146.81 $14.29 +$7,452
Step 6 $30,329 $1,166.50 $14.53 +$7,580
Step 7 $31,194 $1,199.77 $14.95 +$7,796
Step 8 $32,066 $1,233.31 $15.36 +$8,014
Step 9 $32,101 $1,234.65 $15.38 +$8,023
Step 10 $32,917 $1,266.04 $15.77 +$8,227
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $19,738
  • HOUSTON GS-1 Step 1 $26,315
  • Locality add-on +$6,577
  • Adjustment percent 33.32%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $24,690
  • HOUSTON GS-1 Step 10 $32,917

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-1 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2021, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 33.32% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,012 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,266. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-1 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2021, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $26,315 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $32,917. This is 33.32% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2021, it is 33.32%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,577 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,012 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.