An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,375 GS-5 Step 1 in Cleveland (2023)
$51,193 GS-5 Step 10 in Cleveland (2023)
+$7,018 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Cleveland

Each step below already includes the 21.69% 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 $39,375 $1,514.42 $18.87 +$7,018
Step 2 $40,688 $1,564.92 $19.50 +$7,252
Step 3 $42,001 $1,615.42 $20.13 +$7,486
Step 4 $43,314 $1,665.92 $20.75 +$7,720
Step 5 $44,627 $1,716.42 $21.38 +$7,954
Step 6 $45,940 $1,766.92 $22.01 +$8,188
Step 7 $47,253 $1,817.42 $22.64 +$8,422
Step 8 $48,566 $1,867.92 $23.27 +$8,656
Step 9 $49,880 $1,918.46 $23.90 +$8,891
Step 10 $51,193 $1,968.96 $24.53 +$9,125
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cleveland pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Cleveland GS-5 Step 1 $39,375
  • Locality add-on +$7,018
  • Adjustment percent 21.69%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Cleveland GS-5 Step 10 $51,193

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 Cleveland: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Cleveland pay area adds a 21.69% 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 Cleveland

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $1,514 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,969. 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 Cleveland page.

Other grades in Cleveland

GS-5 in Cleveland questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Cleveland?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns $39,375 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,193. This is 21.69% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Cleveland?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cleveland in 2023, it is 21.69%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,018 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Cleveland?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $1,514 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.