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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,634 GS-5 Step 1 in Austin (2023)
$50,229 GS-5 Step 10 in Austin (2023)
+$6,277 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $38,634 $1,485.92 $18.51 +$6,277
Step 2 $39,923 $1,535.50 $19.13 +$6,487
Step 3 $41,211 $1,585.04 $19.75 +$6,696
Step 4 $42,499 $1,634.58 $20.36 +$6,905
Step 5 $43,788 $1,684.15 $20.98 +$7,115
Step 6 $45,076 $1,733.69 $21.60 +$7,324
Step 7 $46,364 $1,783.23 $22.22 +$7,533
Step 8 $47,653 $1,832.81 $22.83 +$7,743
Step 9 $48,941 $1,882.35 $23.45 +$7,952
Step 10 $50,229 $1,931.88 $24.07 +$8,161

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Austin GS-5 Step 1 $38,634
  • Locality add-on +$6,277
  • Adjustment percent 19.40%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Austin GS-5 Step 10 $50,229

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-5 in Austin: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2023, the Austin pay area adds a 19.40% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $1,486 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,932. 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-5 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-5 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Austin?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $38,634 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $50,229. This is 19.40% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,277 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $1,486 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.