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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$91,493 GS-12 Step 1 in Houston (2022)
$118,946 GS-12 Step 10 in Houston (2022)
+$23,194 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Houston

Each step below already includes the 33.96% 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 $91,493 $3,518.96 $43.84 +$23,194
Step 2 $94,544 $3,636.31 $45.30 +$23,968
Step 3 $97,594 $3,753.62 $46.76 +$24,741
Step 4 $100,644 $3,870.92 $48.22 +$25,514
Step 5 $103,694 $3,988.23 $49.69 +$26,287
Step 6 $106,745 $4,105.58 $51.15 +$27,061
Step 7 $109,795 $4,222.88 $52.61 +$27,834
Step 8 $112,845 $4,340.19 $54.07 +$28,607
Step 9 $115,895 $4,457.50 $55.53 +$29,380
Step 10 $118,946 $4,574.85 $56.99 +$30,154
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Houston GS-12 Step 1 $91,493
  • Locality add-on +$23,194
  • Adjustment percent 33.96%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Houston GS-12 Step 10 $118,946

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 Houston: 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 Houston pay area adds a 33.96% 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 Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $3,519 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,575. 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 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-12 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Houston?
    In 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $91,493 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,946. This is 33.96% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Houston?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2022, it is 33.96%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,194 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $3,519 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.