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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$52,557 GS-8 Step 1 in Tucson (2023)
$68,327 GS-8 Step 10 in Tucson (2023)
+$8,168 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $52,557 $2,021.42 $25.18 +$8,168
Step 2 $54,309 $2,088.81 $26.02 +$8,440
Step 3 $56,061 $2,156.19 $26.86 +$8,712
Step 4 $57,814 $2,223.62 $27.70 +$8,985
Step 5 $59,566 $2,291.00 $28.54 +$9,257
Step 6 $61,318 $2,358.38 $29.38 +$9,529
Step 7 $63,070 $2,425.77 $30.22 +$9,801
Step 8 $64,823 $2,493.19 $31.06 +$10,074
Step 9 $66,575 $2,560.58 $31.90 +$10,346
Step 10 $68,327 $2,627.96 $32.74 +$10,618

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $44,389
  • Tucson GS-8 Step 1 $52,557
  • Locality add-on +$8,168
  • Adjustment percent 18.40%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $57,709
  • Tucson GS-8 Step 10 $68,327

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-8 in Tucson: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2023, the Tucson pay area adds a 18.40% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $2,021 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,628. 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-8 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-8 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Tucson?
    In 2023, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $52,557 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $68,327. This is 18.40% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,168 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $2,021 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.