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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$30,656 GS-2 Step 1 in Cincinnati (2025)
$38,576 GS-2 Step 10 in Cincinnati (2025)
+$5,514 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-2 pay table for Cincinnati

Each step below already includes the 21.93% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $30,656 $1,179.08 $14.69 +$5,514
Step 2 $31,385 $1,207.12 $15.04 +$5,645
Step 3 $32,400 $1,246.15 $15.52 +$5,827
Step 4 $33,259 $1,279.19 $15.94 +$5,982
Step 5 $33,632 $1,293.54 $16.11 +$6,049
Step 6 $34,621 $1,331.58 $16.59 +$6,227
Step 7 $35,610 $1,369.62 $17.06 +$6,405
Step 8 $36,599 $1,407.65 $17.54 +$6,583
Step 9 $37,587 $1,445.65 $18.01 +$6,760
Step 10 $38,576 $1,483.69 $18.48 +$6,938
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cincinnati pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $25,142
  • Cincinnati GS-2 Step 1 $30,656
  • Locality add-on +$5,514
  • Adjustment percent 21.93%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $31,638
  • Cincinnati GS-2 Step 10 $38,576

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-2 in Cincinnati: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2025, the Cincinnati pay area adds a 21.93% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Cincinnati

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $1,179 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,484. 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-2 Cincinnati page.

Other grades in Cincinnati

GS-2 in Cincinnati questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Cincinnati?
    In 2025, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns $30,656 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $38,576. This is 21.93% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 in Cincinnati?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cincinnati in 2025, it is 21.93%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,514 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Cincinnati?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $1,179 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.