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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$25,608 GS-1 Step 1 in Philadelphia (2022)
$32,035 GS-1 Step 10 in Philadelphia (2022)
+$5,436 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-1 pay table for Philadelphia

Each step below already includes the 26.95% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $25,608 $984.92 $12.27 +$5,436
Step 2 $26,468 $1,018.00 $12.68 +$5,619
Step 3 $27,318 $1,050.69 $13.09 +$5,799
Step 4 $28,166 $1,083.31 $13.50 +$5,979
Step 5 $29,017 $1,116.04 $13.90 +$6,160
Step 6 $29,515 $1,135.19 $14.14 +$6,266
Step 7 $30,358 $1,167.62 $14.55 +$6,445
Step 8 $31,206 $1,200.23 $14.95 +$6,625
Step 9 $31,240 $1,201.54 $14.97 +$6,632
Step 10 $32,035 $1,232.12 $15.35 +$6,801
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Philadelphia pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $20,172
  • Philadelphia GS-1 Step 1 $25,608
  • Locality add-on +$5,436
  • Adjustment percent 26.95%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $25,234
  • Philadelphia GS-1 Step 10 $32,035

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-1 in Philadelphia: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2022, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 26.95% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Philadelphia

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $985 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,232. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Philadelphia page.

Other grades in Philadelphia

GS-1 in Philadelphia questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Philadelphia?
    In 2022, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $25,608 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $32,035. This is 26.95% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Philadelphia?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2022, it is 26.95%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,436 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Philadelphia?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $985 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.