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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$78,711 GS-12 Step 1 in COLORADO SPRINGS (2021)
$102,328 GS-12 Step 10 in COLORADO SPRINGS (2021)
+$11,882 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 pay table for COLORADO SPRINGS

Each step below already includes the 17.78% 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 $78,711 $3,027.35 $37.71 +$11,882
Step 2 $81,335 $3,128.27 $38.97 +$12,278
Step 3 $83,959 $3,229.19 $40.23 +$12,674
Step 4 $86,584 $3,330.15 $41.49 +$13,071
Step 5 $89,208 $3,431.08 $42.74 +$13,467
Step 6 $91,832 $3,532.00 $44.00 +$13,863
Step 7 $94,456 $3,632.92 $45.26 +$14,259
Step 8 $97,080 $3,733.85 $46.52 +$14,655
Step 9 $99,704 $3,834.77 $47.77 +$15,051
Step 10 $102,328 $3,935.69 $49.03 +$15,447
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLORADO SPRINGS pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • COLORADO SPRINGS GS-12 Step 1 $78,711
  • Locality add-on +$11,882
  • Adjustment percent 17.78%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • COLORADO SPRINGS GS-12 Step 10 $102,328

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 COLORADO SPRINGS: 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 COLORADO SPRINGS pay area adds a 17.78% 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 COLORADO SPRINGS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLORADO SPRINGS earns roughly $3,027 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,936. 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 COLORADO SPRINGS page.

Other grades in COLORADO SPRINGS

GS-12 in COLORADO SPRINGS questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in COLORADO SPRINGS?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLORADO SPRINGS earns $78,711 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $102,328. This is 17.78% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in COLORADO SPRINGS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLORADO SPRINGS in 2021, it is 17.78%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,882 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in COLORADO SPRINGS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in COLORADO SPRINGS earns roughly $3,027 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.