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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$119,254 GS-13 Step 1 in Houston (2024)
$155,034 GS-13 Step 10 in Houston (2024)
+$30,734 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-13 pay table for Houston

Each step below already includes the 34.72% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $119,254 $4,586.69 $57.14 +$30,734
Step 2 $123,230 $4,739.62 $59.05 +$31,759
Step 3 $127,205 $4,892.50 $60.95 +$32,783
Step 4 $131,181 $5,045.42 $62.86 +$33,808
Step 5 $135,156 $5,198.31 $64.76 +$34,832
Step 6 $139,132 $5,351.23 $66.67 +$35,857
Step 7 $143,108 $5,504.15 $68.57 +$36,882
Step 8 $147,083 $5,657.04 $70.48 +$37,906
Step 9 $151,059 $5,809.96 $72.38 +$38,931
Step 10 $155,034 $5,962.85 $74.29 +$39,955
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $88,520
  • Houston GS-13 Step 1 $119,254
  • Locality add-on +$30,734
  • Adjustment percent 34.72%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $115,079
  • Houston GS-13 Step 10 $155,034

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-13 in Houston: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2024, the Houston pay area adds a 34.72% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $4,587 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,963. 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-13 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-13 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Houston?
    In 2024, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $119,254 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $155,034. This is 34.72% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in Houston?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2024, it is 34.72%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $30,734 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $4,587 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.