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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,503 GS-5 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2021)
$47,456 GS-5 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2021)
+$6,089 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-5 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 20.02% 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 $36,503 $1,403.96 $17.49 +$6,089
Step 2 $37,720 $1,450.77 $18.07 +$6,292
Step 3 $38,937 $1,497.58 $18.66 +$6,495
Step 4 $40,154 $1,544.38 $19.24 +$6,698
Step 5 $41,371 $1,591.19 $19.82 +$6,901
Step 6 $42,588 $1,638.00 $20.41 +$7,104
Step 7 $43,805 $1,684.81 $20.99 +$7,307
Step 8 $45,022 $1,731.62 $21.57 +$7,510
Step 9 $46,239 $1,778.42 $22.16 +$7,713
Step 10 $47,456 $1,825.23 $22.74 +$7,916
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,414
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 1 $36,503
  • Locality add-on +$6,089
  • Adjustment percent 20.02%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,540
  • COLUMBUS GS-5 Step 10 $47,456

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 COLUMBUS: what to expect

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

For 2021, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 20.02% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,404 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,825. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-5 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2021, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $36,503 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,456. This is 20.02% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2021, it is 20.02%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,089 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $1,404 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.