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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$81,139 GS-12 Step 1 in Austin (2022)
$105,485 GS-12 Step 10 in Austin (2022)
+$12,840 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 18.80% 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 $81,139 $3,120.73 $38.88 +$12,840
Step 2 $83,844 $3,224.77 $40.17 +$13,268
Step 3 $86,549 $3,328.81 $41.47 +$13,696
Step 4 $89,254 $3,432.85 $42.77 +$14,124
Step 5 $91,960 $3,536.92 $44.06 +$14,553
Step 6 $94,665 $3,640.96 $45.36 +$14,981
Step 7 $97,370 $3,745.00 $46.66 +$15,409
Step 8 $100,075 $3,849.04 $47.95 +$15,837
Step 9 $102,780 $3,953.08 $49.25 +$16,265
Step 10 $105,485 $4,057.12 $50.54 +$16,693

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Austin GS-12 Step 1 $81,139
  • Locality add-on +$12,840
  • Adjustment percent 18.80%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Austin GS-12 Step 10 $105,485

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 Austin: 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 Austin pay area adds a 18.80% 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 Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,121 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,057. 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 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-12 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Austin?
    In 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $81,139 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,485. This is 18.80% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2022, it is 18.80%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,840 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,121 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.