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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$91,112 GS-12 Step 1 in Austin (2025)
$118,451 GS-12 Step 10 in Austin (2025)
+$15,406 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-12 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 20.35% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $91,112 $3,504.31 $43.66 +$15,406
Step 2 $94,150 $3,621.15 $45.11 +$15,920
Step 3 $97,187 $3,737.96 $46.57 +$16,433
Step 4 $100,225 $3,854.81 $48.02 +$16,947
Step 5 $103,263 $3,971.65 $49.48 +$17,461
Step 6 $106,300 $4,088.46 $50.93 +$17,974
Step 7 $109,338 $4,205.31 $52.39 +$18,488
Step 8 $112,376 $4,322.15 $53.85 +$19,002
Step 9 $115,413 $4,438.96 $55.30 +$19,515
Step 10 $118,451 $4,555.81 $56.76 +$20,029

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $75,706
  • Austin GS-12 Step 1 $91,112
  • Locality add-on +$15,406
  • Adjustment percent 20.35%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $98,422
  • Austin GS-12 Step 10 $118,451

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-12 in Austin: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2025, the Austin pay area adds a 20.35% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,504 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,556. 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-12 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-12 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Austin?
    In 2025, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $91,112 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,451. This is 20.35% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2025, it is 20.35%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,406 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $3,504 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.