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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,391 GS-5 Step 1 in Milwaukee (2023)
$51,214 GS-5 Step 10 in Milwaukee (2023)
+$7,034 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Milwaukee

Each step below already includes the 21.74% 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 $39,391 $1,515.04 $18.87 +$7,034
Step 2 $40,705 $1,565.58 $19.50 +$7,269
Step 3 $42,019 $1,616.12 $20.13 +$7,504
Step 4 $43,332 $1,666.62 $20.76 +$7,738
Step 5 $44,646 $1,717.15 $21.39 +$7,973
Step 6 $45,959 $1,767.65 $22.02 +$8,207
Step 7 $47,273 $1,818.19 $22.65 +$8,442
Step 8 $48,586 $1,868.69 $23.28 +$8,676
Step 9 $49,900 $1,919.23 $23.91 +$8,911
Step 10 $51,214 $1,969.77 $24.54 +$9,146
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Milwaukee pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Milwaukee GS-5 Step 1 $39,391
  • Locality add-on +$7,034
  • Adjustment percent 21.74%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Milwaukee GS-5 Step 10 $51,214

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 Milwaukee: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Milwaukee pay area adds a 21.74% 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 Milwaukee

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $1,515 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,970. 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 Milwaukee page.

Other grades in Milwaukee

GS-5 in Milwaukee questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Milwaukee?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns $39,391 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,214. This is 21.74% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Milwaukee?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Milwaukee in 2023, it is 21.74%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,034 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Milwaukee?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $1,515 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.