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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,042 GS-5 Step 1 in Indianapolis (2023)
$49,459 GS-5 Step 10 in Indianapolis (2023)
+$5,685 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Indianapolis

Each step below already includes the 17.57% 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 $38,042 $1,463.15 $18.23 +$5,685
Step 2 $39,311 $1,511.96 $18.84 +$5,875
Step 3 $40,579 $1,560.73 $19.44 +$6,064
Step 4 $41,848 $1,609.54 $20.05 +$6,254
Step 5 $43,116 $1,658.31 $20.66 +$6,443
Step 6 $44,385 $1,707.12 $21.27 +$6,633
Step 7 $45,654 $1,755.92 $21.88 +$6,823
Step 8 $46,922 $1,804.69 $22.48 +$7,012
Step 9 $48,191 $1,853.50 $23.09 +$7,202
Step 10 $49,459 $1,902.27 $23.70 +$7,391
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Indianapolis pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Indianapolis GS-5 Step 1 $38,042
  • Locality add-on +$5,685
  • Adjustment percent 17.57%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Indianapolis GS-5 Step 10 $49,459

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 Indianapolis: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Indianapolis pay area adds a 17.57% 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 Indianapolis

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns roughly $1,463 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,902. 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 Indianapolis page.

Other grades in Indianapolis

GS-5 in Indianapolis questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Indianapolis?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns $38,042 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,459. This is 17.57% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Indianapolis?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Indianapolis in 2023, it is 17.57%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,685 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Indianapolis?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns roughly $1,463 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.