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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,269 GS-5 Step 1 in Pittsburgh (2022)
$48,448 GS-5 Step 10 in Pittsburgh (2022)
+$6,186 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Pittsburgh

Each step below already includes the 19.90% 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 $37,269 $1,433.42 $17.86 +$6,186
Step 2 $38,511 $1,481.19 $18.45 +$6,392
Step 3 $39,753 $1,528.96 $19.05 +$6,598
Step 4 $40,995 $1,576.73 $19.64 +$6,804
Step 5 $42,237 $1,624.50 $20.24 +$7,010
Step 6 $43,479 $1,672.27 $20.83 +$7,216
Step 7 $44,722 $1,720.08 $21.43 +$7,423
Step 8 $45,964 $1,767.85 $22.02 +$7,629
Step 9 $47,206 $1,815.62 $22.62 +$7,835
Step 10 $48,448 $1,863.38 $23.21 +$8,041
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Pittsburgh pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Pittsburgh GS-5 Step 1 $37,269
  • Locality add-on +$6,186
  • Adjustment percent 19.90%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Pittsburgh GS-5 Step 10 $48,448

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 Pittsburgh: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Pittsburgh pay area adds a 19.90% 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 Pittsburgh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $1,433 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,863. 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 Pittsburgh page.

Other grades in Pittsburgh

GS-5 in Pittsburgh questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Pittsburgh?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns $37,269 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,448. This is 19.90% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Pittsburgh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Pittsburgh in 2022, it is 19.90%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,186 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Pittsburgh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $1,433 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.