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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,592 GS-5 Step 1 in Raleigh (2022)
$48,868 GS-5 Step 10 in Raleigh (2022)
+$6,509 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Raleigh

Each step below already includes the 20.94% 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 $37,592 $1,445.85 $18.01 +$6,509
Step 2 $38,845 $1,494.04 $18.61 +$6,726
Step 3 $40,098 $1,542.23 $19.21 +$6,943
Step 4 $41,351 $1,590.42 $19.81 +$7,160
Step 5 $42,604 $1,638.62 $20.41 +$7,377
Step 6 $43,856 $1,686.77 $21.01 +$7,593
Step 7 $45,109 $1,734.96 $21.61 +$7,810
Step 8 $46,362 $1,783.15 $22.21 +$8,027
Step 9 $47,615 $1,831.35 $22.82 +$8,244
Step 10 $48,868 $1,879.54 $23.42 +$8,461
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Raleigh pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Raleigh GS-5 Step 1 $37,592
  • Locality add-on +$6,509
  • Adjustment percent 20.94%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Raleigh GS-5 Step 10 $48,868

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 Raleigh: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Raleigh pay area adds a 20.94% 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 Raleigh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $1,446 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,880. 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 Raleigh page.

Other grades in Raleigh

GS-5 in Raleigh questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Raleigh?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $37,592 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,868. This is 20.94% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Raleigh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2022, it is 20.94%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,509 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Raleigh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $1,446 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.