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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$87,357 GS-12 Step 1 in Rochester (2024)
$113,560 GS-12 Step 10 in Rochester (2024)
+$12,916 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-12 pay table for Rochester

Each step below already includes the 17.35% 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 $87,357 $3,359.88 $41.86 +$12,916
Step 2 $90,268 $3,471.85 $43.25 +$13,346
Step 3 $93,179 $3,583.81 $44.65 +$13,776
Step 4 $96,091 $3,695.81 $46.04 +$14,207
Step 5 $99,002 $3,807.77 $47.44 +$14,637
Step 6 $101,914 $3,919.77 $48.83 +$15,068
Step 7 $104,825 $4,031.73 $50.23 +$15,498
Step 8 $107,737 $4,143.73 $51.62 +$15,929
Step 9 $110,648 $4,255.69 $53.02 +$16,359
Step 10 $113,560 $4,367.69 $54.41 +$16,790
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rochester pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $74,441
  • Rochester GS-12 Step 1 $87,357
  • Locality add-on +$12,916
  • Adjustment percent 17.35%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $96,770
  • Rochester GS-12 Step 10 $113,560

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 Rochester: 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 Rochester pay area adds a 17.35% 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 Rochester

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $3,360 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,368. 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 Rochester page.

Other grades in Rochester

GS-12 in Rochester questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Rochester?
    In 2024, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns $87,357 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $113,560. This is 17.35% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Rochester?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rochester in 2024, it is 17.35%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,916 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Rochester?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $3,360 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.