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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,263 GS-5 Step 1 in Columbus (2024)
$53,640 GS-5 Step 10 in Columbus (2024)
+$7,385 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 21.80% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $41,263 $1,587.04 $19.77 +$7,385
Step 2 $42,639 $1,639.96 $20.43 +$7,632
Step 3 $44,014 $1,692.85 $21.09 +$7,878
Step 4 $45,389 $1,745.73 $21.75 +$8,124
Step 5 $46,764 $1,798.62 $22.41 +$8,370
Step 6 $48,139 $1,851.50 $23.07 +$8,616
Step 7 $49,514 $1,904.38 $23.72 +$8,862
Step 8 $50,889 $1,957.27 $24.38 +$9,108
Step 9 $52,264 $2,010.15 $25.04 +$9,354
Step 10 $53,640 $2,063.08 $25.70 +$9,601
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Columbus GS-5 Step 1 $41,263
  • Locality add-on +$7,385
  • Adjustment percent 21.80%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Columbus GS-5 Step 10 $53,640

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-5 in Columbus: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2024, the Columbus pay area adds a 21.80% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,587 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,063. 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-5 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-5 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Columbus?
    In 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $41,263 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,640. This is 21.80% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2024, it is 21.80%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,385 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,587 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.