2023 GS-12 Pay in Phoenix
GS-12 employees with a duty station in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ earn 21.44% on top of the base GS-12 pay scale. That means a GS-12 Step 1 salary jumps from $71,099 on the base table to $86,343 in Phoenix.
2023 GS-12 Pay in Phoenix
Locality-adjusted GS-12 rates for Phoenix-Mesa, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $86,343 | $3,320.88 | $41.37 | +$15,244 |
| Step 2 | $89,221 | $3,431.58 | $42.75 | +$15,752 |
| Step 3 | $92,099 | $3,542.27 | $44.13 | +$16,260 |
| Step 4 | $94,977 | $3,652.96 | $45.51 | +$16,768 |
| Step 5 | $97,855 | $3,763.65 | $46.89 | +$17,276 |
| Step 6 | $100,733 | $3,874.35 | $48.27 | +$17,784 |
| Step 7 | $103,611 | $3,985.04 | $49.65 | +$18,292 |
| Step 8 | $106,490 | $4,095.77 | $51.03 | +$18,801 |
| Step 9 | $109,368 | $4,206.46 | $52.40 | +$19,309 |
| Step 10 | $112,246 | $4,317.15 | $53.78 | +$19,817 |
2023 GS-12 pay table for Phoenix
Each step below already includes the 21.44% 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 | $86,343 | $3,320.88 | $41.37 | +$15,244 |
| Step 2 | $89,221 | $3,431.58 | $42.75 | +$15,752 |
| Step 3 | $92,099 | $3,542.27 | $44.13 | +$16,260 |
| Step 4 | $94,977 | $3,652.96 | $45.51 | +$16,768 |
| Step 5 | $97,855 | $3,763.65 | $46.89 | +$17,276 |
| Step 6 | $100,733 | $3,874.35 | $48.27 | +$17,784 |
| Step 7 | $103,611 | $3,985.04 | $49.65 | +$18,292 |
| Step 8 | $106,490 | $4,095.77 | $51.03 | +$18,801 |
| Step 9 | $109,368 | $4,206.46 | $52.40 | +$19,309 |
| Step 10 | $112,246 | $4,317.15 | $53.78 | +$19,817 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Phoenix pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-12 in Phoenix: 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 Phoenix pay area adds a 21.44% 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 Phoenix
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $3,321 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,317. 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 Phoenix page.
Other grades in Phoenix
GS-12 in Phoenix questions
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How much does a GS-12 make in Phoenix?
In 2023, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $86,343 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $112,246. This is 21.44% higher than the base GS-12 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Phoenix?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Phoenix in 2023, it is 21.44%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,244 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Phoenix?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $3,321 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.