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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$29,096 GS-2 Step 1 in Seattle (2022)
$36,619 GS-2 Step 10 in Seattle (2022)
+$6,414 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-2 pay table for Seattle

Each step below already includes the 28.28% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $29,096 $1,119.08 $13.94 +$6,414
Step 2 $29,789 $1,145.73 $14.27 +$6,567
Step 3 $30,753 $1,182.81 $14.74 +$6,780
Step 4 $31,567 $1,214.12 $15.13 +$6,959
Step 5 $31,924 $1,227.85 $15.30 +$7,038
Step 6 $32,863 $1,263.96 $15.75 +$7,245
Step 7 $33,802 $1,300.08 $16.20 +$7,452
Step 8 $34,741 $1,336.19 $16.65 +$7,659
Step 9 $35,680 $1,372.31 $17.10 +$7,866
Step 10 $36,619 $1,408.42 $17.55 +$8,073
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Seattle pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $22,682
  • Seattle GS-2 Step 1 $29,096
  • Locality add-on +$6,414
  • Adjustment percent 28.28%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $28,546
  • Seattle GS-2 Step 10 $36,619

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-2 in Seattle: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2022, the Seattle pay area adds a 28.28% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Seattle

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,119 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,408. 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-2 Seattle page.

Other grades in Seattle

GS-2 in Seattle questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Seattle?
    In 2022, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $29,096 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $36,619. This is 28.28% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 in Seattle?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2022, it is 28.28%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,414 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Seattle?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,119 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.