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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,311 GS-5 Step 1 in Tucson (2023)
$49,809 GS-5 Step 10 in Tucson (2023)
+$5,954 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-5 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 18.40% 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 $38,311 $1,473.50 $18.36 +$5,954
Step 2 $39,588 $1,522.62 $18.97 +$6,152
Step 3 $40,866 $1,571.77 $19.58 +$6,351
Step 4 $42,143 $1,620.88 $20.19 +$6,549
Step 5 $43,421 $1,670.04 $20.81 +$6,748
Step 6 $44,698 $1,719.15 $21.42 +$6,946
Step 7 $45,976 $1,768.31 $22.03 +$7,145
Step 8 $47,253 $1,817.42 $22.64 +$7,343
Step 9 $48,531 $1,866.58 $23.25 +$7,542
Step 10 $49,809 $1,915.73 $23.87 +$7,741

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $32,357
  • Tucson GS-5 Step 1 $38,311
  • Locality add-on +$5,954
  • Adjustment percent 18.40%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $42,068
  • Tucson GS-5 Step 10 $49,809

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 Tucson: what to expect

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

For 2023, the Tucson pay area adds a 18.40% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $1,474 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,916. 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 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-5 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Tucson?
    In 2023, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $38,311 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,809. This is 18.40% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2023, it is 18.40%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,954 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $1,474 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.