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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,718 GS-5 Step 1 in CHARLOTTE (2021)
$46,436 GS-5 Step 10 in CHARLOTTE (2021)
+$5,304 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-5 pay table for CHARLOTTE

Each step below already includes the 17.44% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,718 $1,373.77 $17.11 +$5,304
Step 2 $36,909 $1,419.58 $17.69 +$5,481
Step 3 $38,100 $1,465.38 $18.26 +$5,658
Step 4 $39,291 $1,511.19 $18.83 +$5,835
Step 5 $40,482 $1,557.00 $19.40 +$6,012
Step 6 $41,672 $1,602.77 $19.97 +$6,188
Step 7 $42,863 $1,648.58 $20.54 +$6,365
Step 8 $44,054 $1,694.38 $21.11 +$6,542
Step 9 $45,245 $1,740.19 $21.68 +$6,719
Step 10 $46,436 $1,786.00 $22.25 +$6,896
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHARLOTTE pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,414
  • CHARLOTTE GS-5 Step 1 $35,718
  • Locality add-on +$5,304
  • Adjustment percent 17.44%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,540
  • CHARLOTTE GS-5 Step 10 $46,436

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-5 in CHARLOTTE: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2021, the CHARLOTTE pay area adds a 17.44% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in CHARLOTTE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns roughly $1,374 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,786. 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-5 CHARLOTTE page.

Other grades in CHARLOTTE

GS-5 in CHARLOTTE questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in CHARLOTTE?
    In 2021, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns $35,718 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,436. This is 17.44% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in CHARLOTTE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHARLOTTE in 2021, it is 17.44%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,304 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in CHARLOTTE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns roughly $1,374 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.