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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$104,436 GS-12 Step 1 in New York (2025)
$135,773 GS-12 Step 10 in New York (2025)
+$28,730 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-12 pay table for New York

Each step below already includes the 37.95% 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 $104,436 $4,016.77 $50.04 +$28,730
Step 2 $107,918 $4,150.69 $51.71 +$29,688
Step 3 $111,400 $4,284.62 $53.38 +$30,646
Step 4 $114,882 $4,418.54 $55.05 +$31,604
Step 5 $118,364 $4,552.46 $56.71 +$32,562
Step 6 $121,846 $4,686.38 $58.38 +$33,520
Step 7 $125,328 $4,820.31 $60.05 +$34,478
Step 8 $128,809 $4,954.19 $61.72 +$35,435
Step 9 $132,291 $5,088.12 $63.39 +$36,393
Step 10 $135,773 $5,222.04 $65.06 +$37,351
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more New York pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $75,706
  • New York GS-12 Step 1 $104,436
  • Locality add-on +$28,730
  • Adjustment percent 37.95%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $98,422
  • New York GS-12 Step 10 $135,773

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 New York: 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 New York pay area adds a 37.95% 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 New York

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns roughly $4,017 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,222. 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 New York page.

Other grades in New York

GS-12 in New York questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in New York?
    In 2025, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns $104,436 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $135,773. This is 37.95% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in New York?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For New York in 2025, it is 37.95%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,730 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in New York?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in New York earns roughly $4,017 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.