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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,639 GS-5 Step 1 in Houston (2022)
$54,129 GS-5 Step 10 in Houston (2022)
+$10,556 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $41,639 $1,601.50 $19.95 +$10,556
Step 2 $43,027 $1,654.88 $20.62 +$10,908
Step 3 $44,414 $1,708.23 $21.28 +$11,259
Step 4 $45,802 $1,761.62 $21.95 +$11,611
Step 5 $47,190 $1,815.00 $22.61 +$11,963
Step 6 $48,578 $1,868.38 $23.28 +$12,315
Step 7 $49,966 $1,921.77 $23.94 +$12,667
Step 8 $51,354 $1,975.15 $24.61 +$13,019
Step 9 $52,741 $2,028.50 $25.27 +$13,370
Step 10 $54,129 $2,081.88 $25.94 +$13,722
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Houston GS-5 Step 1 $41,639
  • Locality add-on +$10,556
  • Adjustment percent 33.96%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Houston GS-5 Step 10 $54,129

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 Houston: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Houston pay area adds a 33.96% 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 Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $1,602 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,082. 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 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-5 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Houston?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $41,639 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,129. This is 33.96% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,556 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $1,602 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.