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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,079 GS-2 Step 1 in Seattle (2025)
$41,626 GS-2 Step 10 in Seattle (2025)
+$7,937 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-2 pay table for Seattle

Each step below already includes the 31.57% 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 $33,079 $1,272.27 $15.85 +$7,937
Step 2 $33,866 $1,302.54 $16.23 +$8,126
Step 3 $34,962 $1,344.69 $16.75 +$8,389
Step 4 $35,888 $1,380.31 $17.20 +$8,611
Step 5 $36,291 $1,395.81 $17.39 +$8,708
Step 6 $37,358 $1,436.85 $17.90 +$8,964
Step 7 $38,425 $1,477.88 $18.41 +$9,220
Step 8 $39,492 $1,518.92 $18.92 +$9,476
Step 9 $40,559 $1,559.96 $19.43 +$9,732
Step 10 $41,626 $1,601.00 $19.95 +$9,988
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Seattle pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $25,142
  • Seattle GS-2 Step 1 $33,079
  • Locality add-on +$7,937
  • Adjustment percent 31.57%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $31,638
  • Seattle GS-2 Step 10 $41,626

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 Seattle: what to expect

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

For 2025, the Seattle pay area adds a 31.57% 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 Seattle

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,272 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,601. 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 Seattle page.

Other grades in Seattle

GS-2 in Seattle questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Seattle?
    In 2025, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $33,079 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $41,626. This is 31.57% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 in Seattle?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2025, it is 31.57%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,937 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Seattle?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,272 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.