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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$40,288 GS-5 Step 1 in Tucson (2024)
$52,371 GS-5 Step 10 in Tucson (2024)
+$6,410 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 18.92% 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 $40,288 $1,549.54 $19.30 +$6,410
Step 2 $41,630 $1,601.15 $19.95 +$6,623
Step 3 $42,973 $1,652.81 $20.59 +$6,837
Step 4 $44,316 $1,704.46 $21.23 +$7,051
Step 5 $45,658 $1,756.08 $21.88 +$7,264
Step 6 $47,001 $1,807.73 $22.52 +$7,478
Step 7 $48,343 $1,859.35 $23.16 +$7,691
Step 8 $49,686 $1,911.00 $23.81 +$7,905
Step 9 $51,029 $1,962.65 $24.45 +$8,119
Step 10 $52,371 $2,014.27 $25.09 +$8,332

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Tucson GS-5 Step 1 $40,288
  • Locality add-on +$6,410
  • Adjustment percent 18.92%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Tucson GS-5 Step 10 $52,371

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 Tucson: what to expect

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

For 2024, the Tucson pay area adds a 18.92% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $1,550 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,014. 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 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-5 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Tucson?
    In 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $40,288 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $52,371. This is 18.92% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2024, it is 18.92%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,410 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $1,550 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.