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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$86,293 GS-12 Step 1 in Raleigh (2023)
$112,181 GS-12 Step 10 in Raleigh (2023)
+$15,194 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-12 pay table for Raleigh

Each step below already includes the 21.37% 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 $86,293 $3,318.96 $41.35 +$15,194
Step 2 $89,169 $3,429.58 $42.73 +$15,700
Step 3 $92,046 $3,540.23 $44.10 +$16,207
Step 4 $94,922 $3,650.85 $45.48 +$16,713
Step 5 $97,799 $3,761.50 $46.86 +$17,220
Step 6 $100,675 $3,872.12 $48.24 +$17,726
Step 7 $103,552 $3,982.77 $49.62 +$18,233
Step 8 $106,428 $4,093.38 $51.00 +$18,739
Step 9 $109,305 $4,204.04 $52.37 +$19,246
Step 10 $112,181 $4,314.65 $53.75 +$19,752
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Raleigh pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $71,099
  • Raleigh GS-12 Step 1 $86,293
  • Locality add-on +$15,194
  • Adjustment percent 21.37%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $92,429
  • Raleigh GS-12 Step 10 $112,181

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 Raleigh: 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 Raleigh pay area adds a 21.37% 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 Raleigh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $3,319 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,315. 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 Raleigh page.

Other grades in Raleigh

GS-12 in Raleigh questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Raleigh?
    In 2023, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $86,293 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $112,181. This is 21.37% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Raleigh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2023, it is 21.37%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,194 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Raleigh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $3,319 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.