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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,710 GS-5 Step 1 in Milwaukee (2022)
$49,022 GS-5 Step 10 in Milwaukee (2022)
+$6,627 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Milwaukee

Each step below already includes the 21.32% 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 $37,710 $1,450.38 $18.07 +$6,627
Step 2 $38,967 $1,498.73 $18.67 +$6,848
Step 3 $40,224 $1,547.08 $19.27 +$7,069
Step 4 $41,481 $1,595.42 $19.88 +$7,290
Step 5 $42,737 $1,643.73 $20.48 +$7,510
Step 6 $43,994 $1,692.08 $21.08 +$7,731
Step 7 $45,251 $1,740.42 $21.68 +$7,952
Step 8 $46,508 $1,788.77 $22.28 +$8,173
Step 9 $47,765 $1,837.12 $22.89 +$8,394
Step 10 $49,022 $1,885.46 $23.49 +$8,615
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Milwaukee pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Milwaukee GS-5 Step 1 $37,710
  • Locality add-on +$6,627
  • Adjustment percent 21.32%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Milwaukee GS-5 Step 10 $49,022

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 Milwaukee: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Milwaukee pay area adds a 21.32% 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 Milwaukee

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $1,450 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,885. 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 Milwaukee page.

Other grades in Milwaukee

GS-5 in Milwaukee questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Milwaukee?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns $37,710 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,022. This is 21.32% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Milwaukee?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Milwaukee in 2022, it is 21.32%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,627 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Milwaukee?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $1,450 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.