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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,948 GS-5 Step 1 in Pittsburgh (2023)
$50,637 GS-5 Step 10 in Pittsburgh (2023)
+$6,591 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Pittsburgh

Each step below already includes the 20.37% 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 $38,948 $1,498.00 $18.66 +$6,591
Step 2 $40,247 $1,547.96 $19.28 +$6,811
Step 3 $41,546 $1,597.92 $19.91 +$7,031
Step 4 $42,844 $1,647.85 $20.53 +$7,250
Step 5 $44,143 $1,697.81 $21.15 +$7,470
Step 6 $45,442 $1,747.77 $21.77 +$7,690
Step 7 $46,741 $1,797.73 $22.40 +$7,910
Step 8 $48,040 $1,847.69 $23.02 +$8,130
Step 9 $49,338 $1,897.62 $23.64 +$8,349
Step 10 $50,637 $1,947.58 $24.26 +$8,569
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Pittsburgh pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Pittsburgh GS-5 Step 1 $38,948
  • Locality add-on +$6,591
  • Adjustment percent 20.37%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Pittsburgh GS-5 Step 10 $50,637

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 Pittsburgh: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Pittsburgh pay area adds a 20.37% 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 Pittsburgh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $1,498 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,948. 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 Pittsburgh page.

Other grades in Pittsburgh

GS-5 in Pittsburgh questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Pittsburgh?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns $38,948 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $50,637. This is 20.37% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Pittsburgh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Pittsburgh in 2023, it is 20.37%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,591 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Pittsburgh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $1,498 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.