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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,385 GS-5 Step 1 in Charlotte (2023)
$49,905 GS-5 Step 10 in Charlotte (2023)
+$6,028 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Charlotte

Each step below already includes the 18.63% 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 $38,385 $1,476.35 $18.39 +$6,028
Step 2 $39,665 $1,525.58 $19.01 +$6,229
Step 3 $40,945 $1,574.81 $19.62 +$6,430
Step 4 $42,225 $1,624.04 $20.23 +$6,631
Step 5 $43,505 $1,673.27 $20.85 +$6,832
Step 6 $44,785 $1,722.50 $21.46 +$7,033
Step 7 $46,065 $1,771.73 $22.07 +$7,234
Step 8 $47,345 $1,820.96 $22.69 +$7,435
Step 9 $48,625 $1,870.19 $23.30 +$7,636
Step 10 $49,905 $1,919.42 $23.91 +$7,837
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Charlotte pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Charlotte GS-5 Step 1 $38,385
  • Locality add-on +$6,028
  • Adjustment percent 18.63%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Charlotte GS-5 Step 10 $49,905

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 Charlotte: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Charlotte pay area adds a 18.63% 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 Charlotte

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns roughly $1,476 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,919. 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 Charlotte page.

Other grades in Charlotte

GS-5 in Charlotte questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Charlotte?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns $38,385 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,905. This is 18.63% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Charlotte?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Charlotte in 2023, it is 18.63%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,028 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Charlotte?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns roughly $1,476 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.