An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$87,178 GS-12 Step 1 in Reno (2024)
$113,327 GS-12 Step 10 in Reno (2024)
+$12,737 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-12 pay table for Reno

Each step below already includes the 17.11% 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 $87,178 $3,353.00 $41.77 +$12,737
Step 2 $90,083 $3,464.73 $43.16 +$13,161
Step 3 $92,989 $3,576.50 $44.56 +$13,586
Step 4 $95,894 $3,688.23 $45.95 +$14,010
Step 5 $98,800 $3,800.00 $47.34 +$14,435
Step 6 $101,705 $3,911.73 $48.73 +$14,859
Step 7 $104,611 $4,023.50 $50.13 +$15,284
Step 8 $107,516 $4,135.23 $51.52 +$15,708
Step 9 $110,422 $4,247.00 $52.91 +$16,133
Step 10 $113,327 $4,358.73 $54.30 +$16,557

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Reno pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $74,441
  • Reno GS-12 Step 1 $87,178
  • Locality add-on +$12,737
  • Adjustment percent 17.11%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $96,770
  • Reno GS-12 Step 10 $113,327

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-12 in Reno: 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 Reno pay area adds a 17.11% 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 Reno

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $3,353 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,359. 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 Reno page.

Other grades in Reno

GS-12 in Reno questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Reno?
    In 2024, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Reno earns $87,178 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $113,327. This is 17.11% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Reno?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Reno in 2024, it is 17.11%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,737 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Reno?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $3,353 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.