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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$84,892 GS-12 Step 1 in Austin (2023)
$110,360 GS-12 Step 10 in Austin (2023)
+$13,793 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-12 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 19.40% 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 $84,892 $3,265.08 $40.68 +$13,793
Step 2 $87,722 $3,373.92 $42.03 +$14,253
Step 3 $90,552 $3,482.77 $43.39 +$14,713
Step 4 $93,382 $3,591.62 $44.74 +$15,173
Step 5 $96,211 $3,700.42 $46.10 +$15,632
Step 6 $99,041 $3,809.27 $47.46 +$16,092
Step 7 $101,871 $3,918.12 $48.81 +$16,552
Step 8 $104,701 $4,026.96 $50.17 +$17,012
Step 9 $107,530 $4,135.77 $51.52 +$17,471
Step 10 $110,360 $4,244.62 $52.88 +$17,931

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $71,099
  • Austin GS-12 Step 1 $84,892
  • Locality add-on +$13,793
  • Adjustment percent 19.40%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $92,429
  • Austin GS-12 Step 10 $110,360

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 Austin: 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 Austin pay area adds a 19.40% 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 Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,265 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,245. 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 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-12 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Austin?
    In 2023, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $84,892 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $110,360. This is 19.40% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2023, it is 19.40%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,793 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,265 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.