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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,746 GS-5 Step 1 in CLEVELAND (2021)
$47,772 GS-5 Step 10 in CLEVELAND (2021)
+$6,332 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-5 pay table for CLEVELAND

Each step below already includes the 20.82% 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 $36,746 $1,413.31 $17.61 +$6,332
Step 2 $37,971 $1,460.42 $18.19 +$6,543
Step 3 $39,196 $1,507.54 $18.78 +$6,754
Step 4 $40,422 $1,554.69 $19.37 +$6,966
Step 5 $41,647 $1,601.81 $19.96 +$7,177
Step 6 $42,872 $1,648.92 $20.54 +$7,388
Step 7 $44,097 $1,696.04 $21.13 +$7,599
Step 8 $45,322 $1,743.15 $21.72 +$7,810
Step 9 $46,547 $1,790.27 $22.30 +$8,021
Step 10 $47,772 $1,837.38 $22.89 +$8,232
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CLEVELAND pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,414
  • CLEVELAND GS-5 Step 1 $36,746
  • Locality add-on +$6,332
  • Adjustment percent 20.82%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,540
  • CLEVELAND GS-5 Step 10 $47,772

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 CLEVELAND: what to expect

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

For 2021, the CLEVELAND pay area adds a 20.82% 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 CLEVELAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $1,413 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,837. 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 CLEVELAND page.

Other grades in CLEVELAND

GS-5 in CLEVELAND questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in CLEVELAND?
    In 2021, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns $36,746 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,772. This is 20.82% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in CLEVELAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CLEVELAND in 2021, it is 20.82%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,332 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in CLEVELAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $1,413 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.