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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,514 GS-5 Step 1 in Columbus (2022)
$48,767 GS-5 Step 10 in Columbus (2022)
+$6,431 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 20.69% 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 $37,514 $1,442.85 $17.98 +$6,431
Step 2 $38,764 $1,490.92 $18.57 +$6,645
Step 3 $40,015 $1,539.04 $19.17 +$6,860
Step 4 $41,265 $1,587.12 $19.77 +$7,074
Step 5 $42,515 $1,635.19 $20.37 +$7,288
Step 6 $43,766 $1,683.31 $20.97 +$7,503
Step 7 $45,016 $1,731.38 $21.57 +$7,717
Step 8 $46,267 $1,779.50 $22.17 +$7,932
Step 9 $47,517 $1,827.58 $22.77 +$8,146
Step 10 $48,767 $1,875.65 $23.37 +$8,360
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Columbus GS-5 Step 1 $37,514
  • Locality add-on +$6,431
  • Adjustment percent 20.69%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Columbus GS-5 Step 10 $48,767

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 Columbus: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Columbus pay area adds a 20.69% 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 Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,443 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,876. 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 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-5 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Columbus?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $37,514 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,767. This is 20.69% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2022, it is 20.69%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,431 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,443 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.