An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$46,020 GS-5 Step 1 in Los Angeles (2024)
$59,823 GS-5 Step 10 in Los Angeles (2024)
+$12,142 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Los Angeles

Each step below already includes the 35.84% 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 $46,020 $1,770.00 $22.05 +$12,142
Step 2 $47,554 $1,829.00 $22.79 +$12,547
Step 3 $49,087 $1,887.96 $23.52 +$12,951
Step 4 $50,621 $1,946.96 $24.26 +$13,356
Step 5 $52,154 $2,005.92 $24.99 +$13,760
Step 6 $53,688 $2,064.92 $25.72 +$14,165
Step 7 $55,222 $2,123.92 $26.46 +$14,570
Step 8 $56,755 $2,182.88 $27.19 +$14,974
Step 9 $58,289 $2,241.88 $27.93 +$15,379
Step 10 $59,823 $2,300.88 $28.66 +$15,784
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Los Angeles pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Los Angeles GS-5 Step 1 $46,020
  • Locality add-on +$12,142
  • Adjustment percent 35.84%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Los Angeles GS-5 Step 10 $59,823

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 Los Angeles: what to expect

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

For 2024, the Los Angeles pay area adds a 35.84% 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 Los Angeles

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $1,770 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,301. 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 Los Angeles page.

Other grades in Los Angeles

GS-5 in Los Angeles questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Los Angeles?
    In 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns $46,020 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $59,823. This is 35.84% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Los Angeles?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Los Angeles in 2024, it is 35.84%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,142 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Los Angeles?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $1,770 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.