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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,976 GS-12 Step 1 in ALBUQUERQUE (2021)
$101,373 GS-12 Step 10 in ALBUQUERQUE (2021)
+$11,147 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 pay table for ALBUQUERQUE

Each step below already includes the 16.68% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $77,976 $2,999.08 $37.36 +$11,147
Step 2 $80,576 $3,099.08 $38.61 +$11,519
Step 3 $83,175 $3,199.04 $39.85 +$11,890
Step 4 $85,775 $3,299.04 $41.10 +$12,262
Step 5 $88,375 $3,399.04 $42.35 +$12,634
Step 6 $90,974 $3,499.00 $43.59 +$13,005
Step 7 $93,574 $3,599.00 $44.84 +$13,377
Step 8 $96,173 $3,698.96 $46.08 +$13,748
Step 9 $98,773 $3,798.96 $47.33 +$14,120
Step 10 $101,373 $3,898.96 $48.57 +$14,492
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ALBUQUERQUE pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-12 Step 1 $77,976
  • Locality add-on +$11,147
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-12 Step 10 $101,373

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-12 in ALBUQUERQUE: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2021, the ALBUQUERQUE pay area adds a 16.68% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $2,999 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,899. 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-12 ALBUQUERQUE page.

Other grades in ALBUQUERQUE

GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in ALBUQUERQUE?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns $77,976 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,373. This is 16.68% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ALBUQUERQUE in 2021, it is 16.68%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,147 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $2,999 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.