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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$62,611 GS-8 Step 1 in Houston (2024)
$81,392 GS-8 Step 10 in Houston (2024)
+$16,136 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-8 pay table for Houston

Each step below already includes the 34.72% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $62,611 $2,408.12 $30.00 +$16,136
Step 2 $64,698 $2,488.38 $31.00 +$16,674
Step 3 $66,785 $2,568.65 $32.00 +$17,212
Step 4 $68,872 $2,648.92 $33.00 +$17,750
Step 5 $70,958 $2,729.15 $34.00 +$18,287
Step 6 $73,045 $2,809.42 $35.00 +$18,825
Step 7 $75,132 $2,889.69 $36.00 +$19,363
Step 8 $77,219 $2,969.96 $37.00 +$19,901
Step 9 $79,306 $3,050.23 $38.00 +$20,439
Step 10 $81,392 $3,130.46 $39.00 +$20,976
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $46,475
  • Houston GS-8 Step 1 $62,611
  • Locality add-on +$16,136
  • Adjustment percent 34.72%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $60,416
  • Houston GS-8 Step 10 $81,392

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-8 in Houston: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2024, the Houston pay area adds a 34.72% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $2,408 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,130. 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-8 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-8 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Houston?
    In 2024, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $62,611 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $81,392. This is 34.72% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in Houston?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2024, it is 34.72%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,136 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $2,408 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.