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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,688 GS-5 Step 1 in Cleveland (2022)
$48,993 GS-5 Step 10 in Cleveland (2022)
+$6,605 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Cleveland

Each step below already includes the 21.25% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $37,688 $1,449.54 $18.06 +$6,605
Step 2 $38,944 $1,497.85 $18.66 +$6,825
Step 3 $40,200 $1,546.15 $19.26 +$7,045
Step 4 $41,457 $1,594.50 $19.86 +$7,266
Step 5 $42,713 $1,642.81 $20.47 +$7,486
Step 6 $43,969 $1,691.12 $21.07 +$7,706
Step 7 $45,225 $1,739.42 $21.67 +$7,926
Step 8 $46,481 $1,787.73 $22.27 +$8,146
Step 9 $47,737 $1,836.04 $22.87 +$8,366
Step 10 $48,993 $1,884.35 $23.48 +$8,586
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cleveland pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Cleveland GS-5 Step 1 $37,688
  • Locality add-on +$6,605
  • Adjustment percent 21.25%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Cleveland GS-5 Step 10 $48,993

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-5 in Cleveland: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2022, the Cleveland pay area adds a 21.25% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Cleveland

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $1,450 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,884. 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-5 Cleveland page.

Other grades in Cleveland

GS-5 in Cleveland questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Cleveland?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns $37,688 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,993. This is 21.25% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Cleveland?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cleveland in 2022, it is 21.25%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,605 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Cleveland?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $1,450 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.