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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,297 GS-5 Step 1 in Raleigh (2024)
$53,684 GS-5 Step 10 in Raleigh (2024)
+$7,419 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Raleigh

Each step below already includes the 21.90% 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 $41,297 $1,588.35 $19.79 +$7,419
Step 2 $42,674 $1,641.31 $20.45 +$7,667
Step 3 $44,050 $1,694.23 $21.11 +$7,914
Step 4 $45,426 $1,747.15 $21.77 +$8,161
Step 5 $46,802 $1,800.08 $22.43 +$8,408
Step 6 $48,179 $1,853.04 $23.09 +$8,656
Step 7 $49,555 $1,905.96 $23.74 +$8,903
Step 8 $50,931 $1,958.88 $24.40 +$9,150
Step 9 $52,307 $2,011.81 $25.06 +$9,397
Step 10 $53,684 $2,064.77 $25.72 +$9,645
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Raleigh pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Raleigh GS-5 Step 1 $41,297
  • Locality add-on +$7,419
  • Adjustment percent 21.90%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Raleigh GS-5 Step 10 $53,684

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 Raleigh: what to expect

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

For 2024, the Raleigh pay area adds a 21.90% 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 Raleigh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $1,588 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,065. 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 Raleigh page.

Other grades in Raleigh

GS-5 in Raleigh questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Raleigh?
    In 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $41,297 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,684. This is 21.90% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Raleigh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2024, it is 21.90%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,419 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Raleigh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $1,588 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.