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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$89,537 GS-12 Step 1 in New York (2021)
$116,403 GS-12 Step 10 in New York (2021)
+$22,708 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 pay table for New York

Each step below already includes the 33.98% 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 $89,537 $3,443.73 $42.90 +$22,708
Step 2 $92,523 $3,558.58 $44.33 +$23,466
Step 3 $95,508 $3,673.38 $45.76 +$24,223
Step 4 $98,493 $3,788.19 $47.19 +$24,980
Step 5 $101,478 $3,903.00 $48.62 +$25,737
Step 6 $104,463 $4,017.81 $50.05 +$26,494
Step 7 $107,448 $4,132.62 $51.48 +$27,251
Step 8 $110,433 $4,247.42 $52.91 +$28,008
Step 9 $113,418 $4,362.23 $54.34 +$28,765
Step 10 $116,403 $4,477.04 $55.78 +$29,522
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more New York pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • New York GS-12 Step 1 $89,537
  • Locality add-on +$22,708
  • Adjustment percent 33.98%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • New York GS-12 Step 10 $116,403

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 New York: 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 New York pay area adds a 33.98% 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 New York

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns roughly $3,444 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,477. 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 New York page.

Other grades in New York

GS-12 in New York questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in New York?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns $89,537 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $116,403. This is 33.98% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in New York?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For New York in 2021, it is 33.98%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,708 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in New York?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns roughly $3,444 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.