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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$25,465 GS-1 Step 1 in Columbus (2023)
$31,861 GS-1 Step 10 in Columbus (2023)
+$4,466 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-1 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 21.27% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $25,465 $979.42 $12.20 +$4,466
Step 2 $26,320 $1,012.31 $12.61 +$4,616
Step 3 $27,166 $1,044.85 $13.02 +$4,765
Step 4 $28,010 $1,077.31 $13.42 +$4,913
Step 5 $28,855 $1,109.81 $13.83 +$5,061
Step 6 $29,350 $1,128.85 $14.06 +$5,148
Step 7 $30,188 $1,161.08 $14.46 +$5,295
Step 8 $31,032 $1,193.54 $14.87 +$5,443
Step 9 $31,066 $1,194.85 $14.89 +$5,449
Step 10 $31,861 $1,225.42 $15.27 +$5,588
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $20,999
  • Columbus GS-1 Step 1 $25,465
  • Locality add-on +$4,466
  • Adjustment percent 21.27%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $26,273
  • Columbus GS-1 Step 10 $31,861

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-1 in Columbus: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2023, the Columbus pay area adds a 21.27% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $979 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,225. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-1 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Columbus?
    In 2023, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $25,465 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $31,861. This is 21.27% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2023, it is 21.27%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,466 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $979 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.