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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,537 GS-5 Step 1 in Detroit (2023)
$54,003 GS-5 Step 10 in Detroit (2023)
+$9,180 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Detroit

Each step below already includes the 28.37% 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 $41,537 $1,597.58 $19.90 +$9,180
Step 2 $42,922 $1,650.85 $20.57 +$9,486
Step 3 $44,307 $1,704.12 $21.23 +$9,792
Step 4 $45,692 $1,757.38 $21.89 +$10,098
Step 5 $47,077 $1,810.65 $22.56 +$10,404
Step 6 $48,462 $1,863.92 $23.22 +$10,710
Step 7 $49,847 $1,917.19 $23.88 +$11,016
Step 8 $51,232 $1,970.46 $24.55 +$11,322
Step 9 $52,618 $2,023.77 $25.21 +$11,629
Step 10 $54,003 $2,077.04 $25.88 +$11,935
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Detroit pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Detroit GS-5 Step 1 $41,537
  • Locality add-on +$9,180
  • Adjustment percent 28.37%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Detroit GS-5 Step 10 $54,003

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 Detroit: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Detroit pay area adds a 28.37% 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 Detroit

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,598 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,077. 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 Detroit page.

Other grades in Detroit

GS-5 in Detroit questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Detroit?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns $41,537 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,003. This is 28.37% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Detroit?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Detroit in 2023, it is 28.37%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,180 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Detroit?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,598 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.