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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,743 GS-5 Step 1 in Detroit (2022)
$51,664 GS-5 Step 10 in Detroit (2022)
+$8,660 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Detroit

Each step below already includes the 27.86% 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 $39,743 $1,528.58 $19.04 +$8,660
Step 2 $41,067 $1,579.50 $19.68 +$8,948
Step 3 $42,392 $1,630.46 $20.31 +$9,237
Step 4 $43,717 $1,681.42 $20.95 +$9,526
Step 5 $45,041 $1,732.35 $21.58 +$9,814
Step 6 $46,366 $1,783.31 $22.22 +$10,103
Step 7 $47,691 $1,834.27 $22.85 +$10,392
Step 8 $49,015 $1,885.19 $23.49 +$10,680
Step 9 $50,340 $1,936.15 $24.12 +$10,969
Step 10 $51,664 $1,987.08 $24.76 +$11,257
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Detroit pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Detroit GS-5 Step 1 $39,743
  • Locality add-on +$8,660
  • Adjustment percent 27.86%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Detroit GS-5 Step 10 $51,664

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 Detroit: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Detroit pay area adds a 27.86% 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 Detroit

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,529 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,987. 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 Detroit page.

Other grades in Detroit

GS-5 in Detroit questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Detroit?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns $39,743 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,664. This is 27.86% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Detroit?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Detroit in 2022, it is 27.86%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,660 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Detroit?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,529 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.