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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,664 GS-5 Step 1 in CINCINNATI (2021)
$47,665 GS-5 Step 10 in CINCINNATI (2021)
+$6,250 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-5 pay table for CINCINNATI

Each step below already includes the 20.55% 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 $36,664 $1,410.15 $17.57 +$6,250
Step 2 $37,886 $1,457.15 $18.15 +$6,458
Step 3 $39,109 $1,504.19 $18.74 +$6,667
Step 4 $40,331 $1,551.19 $19.32 +$6,875
Step 5 $41,554 $1,598.23 $19.91 +$7,084
Step 6 $42,776 $1,645.23 $20.50 +$7,292
Step 7 $43,998 $1,692.23 $21.08 +$7,500
Step 8 $45,221 $1,739.27 $21.67 +$7,709
Step 9 $46,443 $1,786.27 $22.25 +$7,917
Step 10 $47,665 $1,833.27 $22.84 +$8,125
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CINCINNATI pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,414
  • CINCINNATI GS-5 Step 1 $36,664
  • Locality add-on +$6,250
  • Adjustment percent 20.55%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,540
  • CINCINNATI GS-5 Step 10 $47,665

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 CINCINNATI: what to expect

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

For 2021, the CINCINNATI pay area adds a 20.55% 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 CINCINNATI

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $1,410 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,833. 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 CINCINNATI page.

Other grades in CINCINNATI

GS-5 in CINCINNATI questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in CINCINNATI?
    In 2021, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns $36,664 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,665. This is 20.55% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in CINCINNATI?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CINCINNATI in 2021, it is 20.55%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,250 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in CINCINNATI?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $1,410 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.