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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$78,317 GS-12 Step 1 in TUCSON (2021)
$101,816 GS-12 Step 10 in TUCSON (2021)
+$11,488 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 17.19% 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 $78,317 $3,012.19 $37.53 +$11,488
Step 2 $80,928 $3,112.62 $38.78 +$11,871
Step 3 $83,539 $3,213.04 $40.03 +$12,254
Step 4 $86,150 $3,313.46 $41.28 +$12,637
Step 5 $88,761 $3,413.88 $42.53 +$13,020
Step 6 $91,372 $3,514.31 $43.78 +$13,403
Step 7 $93,983 $3,614.73 $45.03 +$13,786
Step 8 $96,594 $3,715.15 $46.28 +$14,169
Step 9 $99,205 $3,815.58 $47.53 +$14,552
Step 10 $101,816 $3,916.00 $48.79 +$14,935

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 1 $78,317
  • Locality add-on +$11,488
  • Adjustment percent 17.19%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • TUCSON GS-12 Step 10 $101,816

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 17.19% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $3,012 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,916. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-12 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in TUCSON?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $78,317 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,816. This is 17.19% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2021, it is 17.19%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,488 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $3,012 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.