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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$43,646 GS-5 Step 1 in Los Angeles (2023)
$56,746 GS-5 Step 10 in Los Angeles (2023)
+$11,289 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Los Angeles

Each step below already includes the 34.89% 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 $43,646 $1,678.69 $20.91 +$11,289
Step 2 $45,102 $1,734.69 $21.61 +$11,666
Step 3 $46,557 $1,790.65 $22.31 +$12,042
Step 4 $48,013 $1,846.65 $23.01 +$12,419
Step 5 $49,468 $1,902.62 $23.70 +$12,795
Step 6 $50,924 $1,958.62 $24.40 +$13,172
Step 7 $52,379 $2,014.58 $25.10 +$13,548
Step 8 $53,835 $2,070.58 $25.80 +$13,925
Step 9 $55,290 $2,126.54 $26.49 +$14,301
Step 10 $56,746 $2,182.54 $27.19 +$14,678
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Los Angeles pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Los Angeles GS-5 Step 1 $43,646
  • Locality add-on +$11,289
  • Adjustment percent 34.89%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Los Angeles GS-5 Step 10 $56,746

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 Los Angeles: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Los Angeles pay area adds a 34.89% 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 Los Angeles

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $1,679 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,183. 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 Los Angeles page.

Other grades in Los Angeles

GS-5 in Los Angeles questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Los Angeles?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns $43,646 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $56,746. This is 34.89% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Los Angeles?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Los Angeles in 2023, it is 34.89%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,289 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Los Angeles?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $1,679 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.