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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$92,573 GS-12 Step 1 in Richmond (2025)
$120,350 GS-12 Step 10 in Richmond (2025)
+$16,867 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-12 pay table for Richmond

Each step below already includes the 22.28% 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 $92,573 $3,560.50 $44.36 +$16,867
Step 2 $95,660 $3,679.23 $45.84 +$17,430
Step 3 $98,746 $3,797.92 $47.31 +$17,992
Step 4 $101,832 $3,916.62 $48.79 +$18,554
Step 5 $104,919 $4,035.35 $50.27 +$19,117
Step 6 $108,005 $4,154.04 $51.75 +$19,679
Step 7 $111,091 $4,272.73 $53.23 +$20,241
Step 8 $114,178 $4,391.46 $54.71 +$20,804
Step 9 $117,264 $4,510.15 $56.19 +$21,366
Step 10 $120,350 $4,628.85 $57.67 +$21,928
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Richmond pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $75,706
  • Richmond GS-12 Step 1 $92,573
  • Locality add-on +$16,867
  • Adjustment percent 22.28%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $98,422
  • Richmond GS-12 Step 10 $120,350

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 Richmond: 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 Richmond pay area adds a 22.28% 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 Richmond

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $3,561 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,629. 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 Richmond page.

Other grades in Richmond

GS-12 in Richmond questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Richmond?
    In 2025, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $92,573 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $120,350. This is 22.28% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Richmond?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Richmond in 2025, it is 22.28%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,867 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Richmond?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $3,561 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.