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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,239 GS-5 Step 1 in Columbus (2023)
$51,016 GS-5 Step 10 in Columbus (2023)
+$6,882 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 21.27% 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 $39,239 $1,509.19 $18.80 +$6,882
Step 2 $40,548 $1,559.54 $19.43 +$7,112
Step 3 $41,856 $1,609.85 $20.06 +$7,341
Step 4 $43,165 $1,660.19 $20.68 +$7,571
Step 5 $44,473 $1,710.50 $21.31 +$7,800
Step 6 $45,782 $1,760.85 $21.94 +$8,030
Step 7 $47,090 $1,811.15 $22.56 +$8,259
Step 8 $48,399 $1,861.50 $23.19 +$8,489
Step 9 $49,707 $1,911.81 $23.82 +$8,718
Step 10 $51,016 $1,962.15 $24.44 +$8,948
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Columbus GS-5 Step 1 $39,239
  • Locality add-on +$6,882
  • Adjustment percent 21.27%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Columbus GS-5 Step 10 $51,016

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 Columbus: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Columbus pay area adds a 21.27% 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 Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,509 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,962. 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 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-5 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Columbus?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $39,239 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,016. This is 21.27% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2023, it is 21.27%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,882 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,509 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.