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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$91,254 GS-12 Step 1 in Los Angeles (2022)
$118,635 GS-12 Step 10 in Los Angeles (2022)
+$22,955 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Los Angeles

Each step below already includes the 33.61% 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 $91,254 $3,509.77 $43.72 +$22,955
Step 2 $94,297 $3,626.81 $45.18 +$23,721
Step 3 $97,339 $3,743.81 $46.64 +$24,486
Step 4 $100,381 $3,860.81 $48.10 +$25,251
Step 5 $103,423 $3,977.81 $49.56 +$26,016
Step 6 $106,466 $4,094.85 $51.01 +$26,782
Step 7 $109,508 $4,211.85 $52.47 +$27,547
Step 8 $112,550 $4,328.85 $53.93 +$28,312
Step 9 $115,593 $4,445.88 $55.39 +$29,078
Step 10 $118,635 $4,562.88 $56.84 +$29,843
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Los Angeles pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Los Angeles GS-12 Step 1 $91,254
  • Locality add-on +$22,955
  • Adjustment percent 33.61%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Los Angeles GS-12 Step 10 $118,635

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 Los Angeles: 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 Los Angeles pay area adds a 33.61% 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 Los Angeles

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $3,510 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,563. 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 Los Angeles page.

Other grades in Los Angeles

GS-12 in Los Angeles questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Los Angeles?
    In 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns $91,254 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,635. This is 33.61% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Los Angeles?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Los Angeles in 2022, it is 33.61%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,955 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Los Angeles?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $3,510 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.