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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$30,186 GS-2 Step 1 in Philadelphia (2023)
$37,989 GS-2 Step 10 in Philadelphia (2023)
+$6,574 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-2 pay table for Philadelphia

Each step below already includes the 27.84% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $30,186 $1,161.00 $14.46 +$6,574
Step 2 $30,904 $1,188.62 $14.81 +$6,730
Step 3 $31,904 $1,227.08 $15.29 +$6,948
Step 4 $32,749 $1,259.58 $15.69 +$7,132
Step 5 $33,118 $1,273.77 $15.87 +$7,212
Step 6 $34,092 $1,311.23 $16.34 +$7,424
Step 7 $35,067 $1,348.73 $16.80 +$7,637
Step 8 $36,041 $1,386.19 $17.27 +$7,849
Step 9 $37,015 $1,423.65 $17.74 +$8,061
Step 10 $37,989 $1,461.12 $18.20 +$8,273
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Philadelphia pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $23,612
  • Philadelphia GS-2 Step 1 $30,186
  • Locality add-on +$6,574
  • Adjustment percent 27.84%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $29,716
  • Philadelphia GS-2 Step 10 $37,989

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-2 in Philadelphia: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2023, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 27.84% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Philadelphia

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,161 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,461. 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-2 Philadelphia page.

Other grades in Philadelphia

GS-2 in Philadelphia questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Philadelphia?
    In 2023, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $30,186 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $37,989. This is 27.84% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 in Philadelphia?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2023, it is 27.84%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,574 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Philadelphia?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,161 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.