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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,272 GS-5 Step 1 in Raleigh (2023)
$51,058 GS-5 Step 10 in Raleigh (2023)
+$6,915 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Raleigh

Each step below already includes the 21.37% 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 $39,272 $1,510.46 $18.82 +$6,915
Step 2 $40,581 $1,560.81 $19.44 +$7,145
Step 3 $41,891 $1,611.19 $20.07 +$7,376
Step 4 $43,200 $1,661.54 $20.70 +$7,606
Step 5 $44,510 $1,711.92 $21.33 +$7,837
Step 6 $45,820 $1,762.31 $21.95 +$8,068
Step 7 $47,129 $1,812.65 $22.58 +$8,298
Step 8 $48,439 $1,863.04 $23.21 +$8,529
Step 9 $49,748 $1,913.38 $23.84 +$8,759
Step 10 $51,058 $1,963.77 $24.46 +$8,990
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Raleigh pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Raleigh GS-5 Step 1 $39,272
  • Locality add-on +$6,915
  • Adjustment percent 21.37%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Raleigh GS-5 Step 10 $51,058

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 Raleigh: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Raleigh pay area adds a 21.37% 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 Raleigh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $1,510 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,964. 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 Raleigh page.

Other grades in Raleigh

GS-5 in Raleigh questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Raleigh?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $39,272 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,058. This is 21.37% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Raleigh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2023, it is 21.37%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,915 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Raleigh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $1,510 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.