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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$84,923 GS-12 Step 1 in Portland (2022)
$110,404 GS-12 Step 10 in Portland (2022)
+$16,624 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Portland

Each step below already includes the 24.34% 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 $84,923 $3,266.27 $40.69 +$16,624
Step 2 $87,754 $3,375.15 $42.05 +$17,178
Step 3 $90,585 $3,484.04 $43.40 +$17,732
Step 4 $93,417 $3,592.96 $44.76 +$18,287
Step 5 $96,248 $3,701.85 $46.12 +$18,841
Step 6 $99,079 $3,810.73 $47.47 +$19,395
Step 7 $101,910 $3,919.62 $48.83 +$19,949
Step 8 $104,742 $4,028.54 $50.19 +$20,504
Step 9 $107,573 $4,137.42 $51.54 +$21,058
Step 10 $110,404 $4,246.31 $52.90 +$21,612
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Portland pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Portland GS-12 Step 1 $84,923
  • Locality add-on +$16,624
  • Adjustment percent 24.34%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Portland GS-12 Step 10 $110,404

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 Portland: 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 Portland pay area adds a 24.34% 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 Portland

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Portland earns roughly $3,266 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,246. 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 Portland page.

Other grades in Portland

GS-12 in Portland questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Portland?
    In 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Portland earns $84,923 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $110,404. This is 24.34% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Portland?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Portland in 2022, it is 24.34%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,624 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Portland?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Portland earns roughly $3,266 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.