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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,118 GS-5 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2022)
$46,953 GS-5 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2022)
+$5,035 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 16.20% 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 $36,118 $1,389.15 $17.31 +$5,035
Step 2 $37,322 $1,435.46 $17.88 +$5,203
Step 3 $38,526 $1,481.77 $18.46 +$5,371
Step 4 $39,730 $1,528.08 $19.04 +$5,539
Step 5 $40,934 $1,574.38 $19.61 +$5,707
Step 6 $42,138 $1,620.69 $20.19 +$5,875
Step 7 $43,341 $1,666.96 $20.77 +$6,042
Step 8 $44,545 $1,713.27 $21.34 +$6,210
Step 9 $45,749 $1,759.58 $21.92 +$6,378
Step 10 $46,953 $1,805.88 $22.50 +$6,546
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 1 $36,118
  • Locality add-on +$5,035
  • Adjustment percent 16.20%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 10 $46,953

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 Rest of U.S.: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 16.20% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,389 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,806. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-5 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $36,118 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,953. This is 16.20% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2022, it is 16.20%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,035 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,389 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.