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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$96,343 GS-12 Step 1 in Dallas (2025)
$125,252 GS-12 Step 10 in Dallas (2025)
+$20,637 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-12 pay table for Dallas

Each step below already includes the 27.26% 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 $96,343 $3,705.50 $46.16 +$20,637
Step 2 $99,555 $3,829.04 $47.70 +$21,325
Step 3 $102,768 $3,952.62 $49.24 +$22,014
Step 4 $105,980 $4,076.15 $50.78 +$22,702
Step 5 $109,192 $4,199.69 $52.32 +$23,390
Step 6 $112,404 $4,323.23 $53.86 +$24,078
Step 7 $115,616 $4,446.77 $55.40 +$24,766
Step 8 $118,828 $4,570.31 $56.94 +$25,454
Step 9 $122,040 $4,693.85 $58.48 +$26,142
Step 10 $125,252 $4,817.38 $60.02 +$26,830

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Dallas pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $75,706
  • Dallas GS-12 Step 1 $96,343
  • Locality add-on +$20,637
  • Adjustment percent 27.26%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $98,422
  • Dallas GS-12 Step 10 $125,252

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 Dallas: 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 Dallas pay area adds a 27.26% 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 Dallas

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Dallas earns roughly $3,706 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,817. 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 Dallas page.

Other grades in Dallas

GS-12 in Dallas questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Dallas?
    In 2025, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Dallas earns $96,343 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $125,252. This is 27.26% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Dallas?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Dallas in 2025, it is 27.26%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,637 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Dallas?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Dallas earns roughly $3,706 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.