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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,700 GS-5 Step 1 in Pittsburgh (2025)
$54,204 GS-5 Step 10 in Pittsburgh (2025)
+$7,246 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-5 pay table for Pittsburgh

Each step below already includes the 21.03% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $41,700 $1,603.85 $19.98 +$7,246
Step 2 $43,089 $1,657.27 $20.65 +$7,487
Step 3 $44,479 $1,710.73 $21.31 +$7,729
Step 4 $45,868 $1,764.15 $21.98 +$7,970
Step 5 $47,257 $1,817.58 $22.64 +$8,211
Step 6 $48,647 $1,871.04 $23.31 +$8,453
Step 7 $50,036 $1,924.46 $23.98 +$8,694
Step 8 $51,426 $1,977.92 $24.64 +$8,936
Step 9 $52,815 $2,031.35 $25.31 +$9,177
Step 10 $54,204 $2,084.77 $25.97 +$9,418
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Pittsburgh pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $34,454
  • Pittsburgh GS-5 Step 1 $41,700
  • Locality add-on +$7,246
  • Adjustment percent 21.03%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,786
  • Pittsburgh GS-5 Step 10 $54,204

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-5 in Pittsburgh: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2025, the Pittsburgh pay area adds a 21.03% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Pittsburgh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $1,604 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,085. 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-5 Pittsburgh page.

Other grades in Pittsburgh

GS-5 in Pittsburgh questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Pittsburgh?
    In 2025, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns $41,700 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,204. This is 21.03% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Pittsburgh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Pittsburgh in 2025, it is 21.03%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,246 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Pittsburgh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $1,604 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.