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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,005 GS-12 Step 1 in Albuquerque (2022)
$104,011 GS-12 Step 10 in Albuquerque (2022)
+$11,706 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Albuquerque

Each step below already includes the 17.14% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $80,005 $3,077.12 $38.33 +$11,706
Step 2 $82,673 $3,179.73 $39.61 +$12,097
Step 3 $85,340 $3,282.31 $40.89 +$12,487
Step 4 $88,007 $3,384.88 $42.17 +$12,877
Step 5 $90,675 $3,487.50 $43.45 +$13,268
Step 6 $93,342 $3,590.08 $44.73 +$13,658
Step 7 $96,009 $3,692.65 $46.00 +$14,048
Step 8 $98,676 $3,795.23 $47.28 +$14,438
Step 9 $101,344 $3,897.85 $48.56 +$14,829
Step 10 $104,011 $4,000.42 $49.84 +$15,219
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Albuquerque pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Albuquerque GS-12 Step 1 $80,005
  • Locality add-on +$11,706
  • Adjustment percent 17.14%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Albuquerque GS-12 Step 10 $104,011

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-12 in Albuquerque: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2022, the Albuquerque pay area adds a 17.14% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Albuquerque

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $3,077 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,000. 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-12 Albuquerque page.

Other grades in Albuquerque

GS-12 in Albuquerque questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Albuquerque?
    In 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $80,005 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $104,011. This is 17.14% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Albuquerque?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albuquerque in 2022, it is 17.14%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,706 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Albuquerque?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $3,077 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.