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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$89,322 GS-12 Step 1 in Austin (2024)
$116,114 GS-12 Step 10 in Austin (2024)
+$14,881 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-12 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 19.99% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $89,322 $3,435.46 $42.80 +$14,881
Step 2 $92,299 $3,549.96 $44.23 +$15,377
Step 3 $95,276 $3,664.46 $45.65 +$15,873
Step 4 $98,253 $3,778.96 $47.08 +$16,369
Step 5 $101,230 $3,893.46 $48.51 +$16,865
Step 6 $104,207 $4,007.96 $49.93 +$17,361
Step 7 $107,183 $4,122.42 $51.36 +$17,856
Step 8 $110,160 $4,236.92 $52.78 +$18,352
Step 9 $113,137 $4,351.42 $54.21 +$18,848
Step 10 $116,114 $4,465.92 $55.64 +$19,344

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $74,441
  • Austin GS-12 Step 1 $89,322
  • Locality add-on +$14,881
  • Adjustment percent 19.99%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $96,770
  • Austin GS-12 Step 10 $116,114

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-12 in Austin: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2024, the Austin pay area adds a 19.99% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,435 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,466. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-12 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Austin?
    In 2024, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $89,322 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $116,114. This is 19.99% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2024, it is 19.99%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,881 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,435 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.