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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,522 GS-12 Step 1 in RALEIGH (2021)
$104,683 GS-12 Step 10 in RALEIGH (2021)
+$13,693 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 pay table for RALEIGH

Each step below already includes the 20.49% 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 $80,522 $3,097.00 $38.58 +$13,693
Step 2 $83,207 $3,200.27 $39.87 +$14,150
Step 3 $85,891 $3,303.50 $41.16 +$14,606
Step 4 $88,576 $3,406.77 $42.44 +$15,063
Step 5 $91,260 $3,510.00 $43.73 +$15,519
Step 6 $93,945 $3,613.27 $45.01 +$15,976
Step 7 $96,629 $3,716.50 $46.30 +$16,432
Step 8 $99,314 $3,819.77 $47.59 +$16,889
Step 9 $101,998 $3,923.00 $48.87 +$17,345
Step 10 $104,683 $4,026.27 $50.16 +$17,802
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RALEIGH pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • RALEIGH GS-12 Step 1 $80,522
  • Locality add-on +$13,693
  • Adjustment percent 20.49%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • RALEIGH GS-12 Step 10 $104,683

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 RALEIGH: 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 RALEIGH pay area adds a 20.49% 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 RALEIGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $3,097 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,026. 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 RALEIGH page.

Other grades in RALEIGH

GS-12 in RALEIGH questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in RALEIGH?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns $80,522 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $104,683. This is 20.49% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in RALEIGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For RALEIGH in 2021, it is 20.49%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,693 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in RALEIGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $3,097 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.