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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$43,642 GS-5 Step 1 in Detroit (2024)
$56,731 GS-5 Step 10 in Detroit (2024)
+$9,764 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Detroit

Each step below already includes the 28.82% 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 $43,642 $1,678.54 $20.91 +$9,764
Step 2 $45,096 $1,734.46 $21.61 +$10,089
Step 3 $46,550 $1,790.38 $22.30 +$10,414
Step 4 $48,005 $1,846.35 $23.00 +$10,740
Step 5 $49,459 $1,902.27 $23.70 +$11,065
Step 6 $50,914 $1,958.23 $24.40 +$11,391
Step 7 $52,368 $2,014.15 $25.09 +$11,716
Step 8 $53,822 $2,070.08 $25.79 +$12,041
Step 9 $55,277 $2,126.04 $26.49 +$12,367
Step 10 $56,731 $2,181.96 $27.18 +$12,692
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Detroit pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Detroit GS-5 Step 1 $43,642
  • Locality add-on +$9,764
  • Adjustment percent 28.82%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Detroit GS-5 Step 10 $56,731

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 Detroit: what to expect

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

For 2024, the Detroit pay area adds a 28.82% 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 Detroit

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,679 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,182. 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 Detroit page.

Other grades in Detroit

GS-5 in Detroit questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Detroit?
    In 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns $43,642 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $56,731. This is 28.82% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Detroit?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Detroit in 2024, it is 28.82%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,764 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Detroit?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns roughly $1,679 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.