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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$82,533 GS-12 Step 1 in Phoenix (2022)
$107,296 GS-12 Step 10 in Phoenix (2022)
+$14,234 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Phoenix

Each step below already includes the 20.84% 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 $82,533 $3,174.35 $39.55 +$14,234
Step 2 $85,284 $3,280.15 $40.86 +$14,708
Step 3 $88,036 $3,386.00 $42.18 +$15,183
Step 4 $90,787 $3,491.81 $43.50 +$15,657
Step 5 $93,539 $3,597.65 $44.82 +$16,132
Step 6 $96,290 $3,703.46 $46.14 +$16,606
Step 7 $99,042 $3,809.31 $47.46 +$17,081
Step 8 $101,793 $3,915.12 $48.77 +$17,555
Step 9 $104,545 $4,020.96 $50.09 +$18,030
Step 10 $107,296 $4,126.77 $51.41 +$18,504
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Phoenix pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Phoenix GS-12 Step 1 $82,533
  • Locality add-on +$14,234
  • Adjustment percent 20.84%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Phoenix GS-12 Step 10 $107,296

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 Phoenix: 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 Phoenix pay area adds a 20.84% 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 Phoenix

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $3,174 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,127. 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 Phoenix page.

Other grades in Phoenix

GS-12 in Phoenix questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Phoenix?
    In 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $82,533 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $107,296. This is 20.84% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Phoenix?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Phoenix in 2022, it is 20.84%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,234 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Phoenix?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $3,174 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.