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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,313 GS-1 Step 1 in Columbus (2025)
$34,165 GS-1 Step 10 in Columbus (2025)
+$4,953 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-1 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 22.15% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $27,313 $1,050.50 $13.09 +$4,953
Step 2 $28,229 $1,085.73 $13.53 +$5,119
Step 3 $29,136 $1,120.62 $13.96 +$5,283
Step 4 $30,042 $1,155.46 $14.39 +$5,448
Step 5 $30,948 $1,190.31 $14.83 +$5,612
Step 6 $31,478 $1,210.69 $15.08 +$5,708
Step 7 $32,377 $1,245.27 $15.51 +$5,871
Step 8 $33,282 $1,280.08 $15.95 +$6,035
Step 9 $33,319 $1,281.50 $15.97 +$6,042
Step 10 $34,165 $1,314.04 $16.37 +$6,195
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $22,360
  • Columbus GS-1 Step 1 $27,313
  • Locality add-on +$4,953
  • Adjustment percent 22.15%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $27,970
  • Columbus GS-1 Step 10 $34,165

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-1 in Columbus: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2025, the Columbus pay area adds a 22.15% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,051 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,314. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-1 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Columbus?
    In 2025, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $27,313 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $34,165. This is 22.15% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2025, it is 22.15%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,953 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $1,051 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.