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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,161 GS-12 Step 1 in RICHMOND (2021)
$104,214 GS-12 Step 10 in RICHMOND (2021)
+$13,332 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 pay table for RICHMOND

Each step below already includes the 19.95% 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 $80,161 $3,083.12 $38.41 +$13,332
Step 2 $82,834 $3,185.92 $39.69 +$13,777
Step 3 $85,506 $3,288.69 $40.97 +$14,221
Step 4 $88,179 $3,391.50 $42.25 +$14,666
Step 5 $90,851 $3,494.27 $43.53 +$15,110
Step 6 $93,524 $3,597.08 $44.81 +$15,555
Step 7 $96,196 $3,699.85 $46.09 +$15,999
Step 8 $98,869 $3,802.65 $47.37 +$16,444
Step 9 $101,541 $3,905.42 $48.65 +$16,888
Step 10 $104,214 $4,008.23 $49.93 +$17,333
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RICHMOND pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • RICHMOND GS-12 Step 1 $80,161
  • Locality add-on +$13,332
  • Adjustment percent 19.95%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • RICHMOND GS-12 Step 10 $104,214

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 RICHMOND: 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 RICHMOND pay area adds a 19.95% 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 RICHMOND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in RICHMOND earns roughly $3,083 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,008. 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 RICHMOND page.

Other grades in RICHMOND

GS-12 in RICHMOND questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in RICHMOND?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in RICHMOND earns $80,161 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $104,214. This is 19.95% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in RICHMOND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For RICHMOND in 2021, it is 19.95%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,332 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in RICHMOND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in RICHMOND earns roughly $3,083 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.