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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,576 GS-5 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2024)
$51,446 GS-5 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2024)
+$5,698 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 16.82% 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 $39,576 $1,522.15 $18.96 +$5,698
Step 2 $40,895 $1,572.88 $19.60 +$5,888
Step 3 $42,214 $1,623.62 $20.23 +$6,078
Step 4 $43,533 $1,674.35 $20.86 +$6,268
Step 5 $44,852 $1,725.08 $21.49 +$6,458
Step 6 $46,171 $1,775.81 $22.12 +$6,648
Step 7 $47,490 $1,826.54 $22.76 +$6,838
Step 8 $48,809 $1,877.27 $23.39 +$7,028
Step 9 $50,127 $1,927.96 $24.02 +$7,217
Step 10 $51,446 $1,978.69 $24.65 +$7,407
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 1 $39,576
  • Locality add-on +$5,698
  • Adjustment percent 16.82%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Rest of U.S. GS-5 Step 10 $51,446

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 Rest of U.S.: what to expect

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

For 2024, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 16.82% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,522 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,979. 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 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-5 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $39,576 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,446. This is 16.82% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2024, it is 16.82%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,698 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,522 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.