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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$88,525 GS-12 Step 1 in Tucson (2024)
$115,079 GS-12 Step 10 in Tucson (2024)
+$14,084 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-12 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 18.92% 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 $88,525 $3,404.81 $42.42 +$14,084
Step 2 $91,476 $3,518.31 $43.83 +$14,554
Step 3 $94,426 $3,631.77 $45.24 +$15,023
Step 4 $97,376 $3,745.23 $46.66 +$15,492
Step 5 $100,327 $3,858.73 $48.07 +$15,962
Step 6 $103,277 $3,972.19 $49.49 +$16,431
Step 7 $106,228 $4,085.69 $50.90 +$16,901
Step 8 $109,178 $4,199.15 $52.31 +$17,370
Step 9 $112,128 $4,312.62 $53.73 +$17,839
Step 10 $115,079 $4,426.12 $55.14 +$18,309

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $74,441
  • Tucson GS-12 Step 1 $88,525
  • Locality add-on +$14,084
  • Adjustment percent 18.92%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $96,770
  • Tucson GS-12 Step 10 $115,079

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 Tucson: 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 Tucson pay area adds a 18.92% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $3,405 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,426. 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 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-12 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Tucson?
    In 2024, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $88,525 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $115,079. This is 18.92% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2024, it is 18.92%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,084 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $3,405 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.