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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$105,947 GS-13 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2021)
$137,732 GS-13 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2021)
+$26,479 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-13 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 33.32% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $105,947 $4,074.88 $50.77 +$26,479
Step 2 $109,478 $4,210.69 $52.46 +$27,361
Step 3 $113,010 $4,346.54 $54.15 +$28,244
Step 4 $116,542 $4,482.38 $55.84 +$29,127
Step 5 $120,073 $4,618.19 $57.53 +$30,009
Step 6 $123,605 $4,754.04 $59.23 +$30,892
Step 7 $127,137 $4,889.88 $60.92 +$31,775
Step 8 $130,668 $5,025.69 $62.61 +$32,657
Step 9 $134,200 $5,161.54 $64.30 +$33,540
Step 10 $137,732 $5,297.38 $66.00 +$34,423
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $79,468
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 1 $105,947
  • Locality add-on +$26,479
  • Adjustment percent 33.32%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $103,309
  • HOUSTON GS-13 Step 10 $137,732

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-13 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2021, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 33.32% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $4,075 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,297. 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-13 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-13 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2021, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $105,947 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $137,732. This is 33.32% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2021, it is 33.32%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,479 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $4,075 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.