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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$46,416 GS-6 Step 1 in Houston (2022)
$60,341 GS-6 Step 10 in Houston (2022)
+$11,767 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $46,416 $1,785.23 $22.24 +$11,767
Step 2 $47,963 $1,844.73 $22.98 +$12,159
Step 3 $49,510 $1,904.23 $23.72 +$12,551
Step 4 $51,058 $1,963.77 $24.46 +$12,944
Step 5 $52,605 $2,023.27 $25.21 +$13,336
Step 6 $54,152 $2,082.77 $25.95 +$13,728
Step 7 $55,699 $2,142.27 $26.69 +$14,120
Step 8 $57,246 $2,201.77 $27.43 +$14,512
Step 9 $58,794 $2,261.31 $28.17 +$14,905
Step 10 $60,341 $2,320.81 $28.91 +$15,297
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $34,649
  • Houston GS-6 Step 1 $46,416
  • Locality add-on +$11,767
  • Adjustment percent 33.96%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $45,044
  • Houston GS-6 Step 10 $60,341

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-6 in Houston: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2022, the Houston pay area adds a 33.96% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $1,785 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,321. 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-6 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-6 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Houston?
    In 2022, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $46,416 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $60,341. This is 33.96% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,767 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $1,785 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.