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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$90,744 GS-12 Step 1 in Raleigh (2024)
$117,963 GS-12 Step 10 in Raleigh (2024)
+$16,303 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-12 pay table for Raleigh

Each step below already includes the 21.90% 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 $90,744 $3,490.15 $43.48 +$16,303
Step 2 $93,768 $3,606.46 $44.93 +$16,846
Step 3 $96,792 $3,722.77 $46.38 +$17,389
Step 4 $99,817 $3,839.12 $47.83 +$17,933
Step 5 $102,841 $3,955.42 $49.28 +$18,476
Step 6 $105,865 $4,071.73 $50.73 +$19,019
Step 7 $108,890 $4,188.08 $52.18 +$19,563
Step 8 $111,914 $4,304.38 $53.62 +$20,106
Step 9 $114,938 $4,420.69 $55.07 +$20,649
Step 10 $117,963 $4,537.04 $56.52 +$21,193
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Raleigh pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $74,441
  • Raleigh GS-12 Step 1 $90,744
  • Locality add-on +$16,303
  • Adjustment percent 21.90%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $96,770
  • Raleigh GS-12 Step 10 $117,963

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 Raleigh: 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 Raleigh pay area adds a 21.90% 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 Raleigh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $3,490 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,537. 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 Raleigh page.

Other grades in Raleigh

GS-12 in Raleigh questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Raleigh?
    In 2024, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $90,744 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $117,963. This is 21.90% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Raleigh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2024, it is 21.90%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,303 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Raleigh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $3,490 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.