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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$113,689 GS-13 Step 1 in Houston (2023)
$147,793 GS-13 Step 10 in Houston (2023)
+$29,143 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-13 pay table for Houston

Each step below already includes the 34.47% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $113,689 $4,372.65 $54.47 +$29,143
Step 2 $117,478 $4,518.38 $56.29 +$30,114
Step 3 $121,268 $4,664.15 $58.11 +$31,086
Step 4 $125,057 $4,809.88 $59.92 +$32,057
Step 5 $128,846 $4,955.62 $61.74 +$33,028
Step 6 $132,636 $5,101.38 $63.55 +$34,000
Step 7 $136,425 $5,247.12 $65.37 +$34,971
Step 8 $140,215 $5,392.88 $67.18 +$35,943
Step 9 $144,004 $5,538.62 $69.00 +$36,914
Step 10 $147,793 $5,684.35 $70.82 +$37,885
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $84,546
  • Houston GS-13 Step 1 $113,689
  • Locality add-on +$29,143
  • Adjustment percent 34.47%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $109,908
  • Houston GS-13 Step 10 $147,793

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-13 in Houston: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2023, the Houston pay area adds a 34.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $4,373 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,684. 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-13 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-13 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Houston?
    In 2023, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $113,689 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $147,793. This is 34.47% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in Houston?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2023, it is 34.47%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,143 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $4,373 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.