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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$108,797 GS-13 Step 1 in Houston (2022)
$141,434 GS-13 Step 10 in Houston (2022)
+$27,581 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $108,797 $4,184.50 $52.13 +$27,581
Step 2 $112,423 $4,323.96 $53.87 +$28,500
Step 3 $116,050 $4,463.46 $55.61 +$29,420
Step 4 $119,676 $4,602.92 $57.34 +$30,339
Step 5 $123,302 $4,742.38 $59.08 +$31,258
Step 6 $126,928 $4,881.85 $60.82 +$32,177
Step 7 $130,555 $5,021.35 $62.56 +$33,097
Step 8 $134,181 $5,160.81 $64.29 +$34,016
Step 9 $137,807 $5,300.27 $66.03 +$34,935
Step 10 $141,434 $5,439.77 $67.77 +$35,855
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $81,216
  • Houston GS-13 Step 1 $108,797
  • Locality add-on +$27,581
  • Adjustment percent 33.96%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $105,579
  • Houston GS-13 Step 10 $141,434

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-13 in Houston: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2022, the Houston pay area adds a 33.96% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $4,185 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,440. 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-13 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-13 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Houston?
    In 2022, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $108,797 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $141,434. This is 33.96% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $27,581 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $4,185 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.