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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,634 GS-12 Step 1 in Albuquerque (2023)
$108,724 GS-12 Step 10 in Albuquerque (2023)
+$12,535 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-12 pay table for Albuquerque

Each step below already includes the 17.63% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $83,634 $3,216.69 $40.07 +$12,535
Step 2 $86,422 $3,323.92 $41.41 +$12,953
Step 3 $89,209 $3,431.12 $42.75 +$13,370
Step 4 $91,997 $3,538.35 $44.08 +$13,788
Step 5 $94,785 $3,645.58 $45.42 +$14,206
Step 6 $97,573 $3,752.81 $46.75 +$14,624
Step 7 $100,361 $3,860.04 $48.09 +$15,042
Step 8 $103,149 $3,967.27 $49.42 +$15,460
Step 9 $105,936 $4,074.46 $50.76 +$15,877
Step 10 $108,724 $4,181.69 $52.10 +$16,295
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Albuquerque pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $71,099
  • Albuquerque GS-12 Step 1 $83,634
  • Locality add-on +$12,535
  • Adjustment percent 17.63%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $92,429
  • Albuquerque GS-12 Step 10 $108,724

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-12 in Albuquerque: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2023, the Albuquerque pay area adds a 17.63% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Albuquerque

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $3,217 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,182. 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-12 Albuquerque page.

Other grades in Albuquerque

GS-12 in Albuquerque questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Albuquerque?
    In 2023, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $83,634 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $108,724. This is 17.63% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Albuquerque?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albuquerque in 2023, it is 17.63%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,535 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Albuquerque?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $3,217 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.