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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,560 GS-5 Step 1 in INDIANAPOLIS (2021)
$46,230 GS-5 Step 10 in INDIANAPOLIS (2021)
+$5,146 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-5 pay table for INDIANAPOLIS

Each step below already includes the 16.92% 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 $35,560 $1,367.69 $17.04 +$5,146
Step 2 $36,746 $1,413.31 $17.61 +$5,318
Step 3 $37,931 $1,458.88 $18.17 +$5,489
Step 4 $39,117 $1,504.50 $18.74 +$5,661
Step 5 $40,302 $1,550.08 $19.31 +$5,832
Step 6 $41,488 $1,595.69 $19.88 +$6,004
Step 7 $42,673 $1,641.27 $20.45 +$6,175
Step 8 $43,859 $1,686.88 $21.02 +$6,347
Step 9 $45,045 $1,732.50 $21.58 +$6,519
Step 10 $46,230 $1,778.08 $22.15 +$6,690
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more INDIANAPOLIS pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,414
  • INDIANAPOLIS GS-5 Step 1 $35,560
  • Locality add-on +$5,146
  • Adjustment percent 16.92%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,540
  • INDIANAPOLIS GS-5 Step 10 $46,230

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 INDIANAPOLIS: what to expect

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

For 2021, the INDIANAPOLIS pay area adds a 16.92% 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 INDIANAPOLIS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in INDIANAPOLIS earns roughly $1,368 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,778. 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 INDIANAPOLIS page.

Other grades in INDIANAPOLIS

GS-5 in INDIANAPOLIS questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in INDIANAPOLIS?
    In 2021, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in INDIANAPOLIS earns $35,560 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,230. This is 16.92% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in INDIANAPOLIS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For INDIANAPOLIS in 2021, it is 16.92%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,146 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in INDIANAPOLIS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in INDIANAPOLIS earns roughly $1,368 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.