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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$42,130 GS-5 Step 1 in Richmond (2025)
$54,764 GS-5 Step 10 in Richmond (2025)
+$7,676 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $42,130 $1,620.38 $20.19 +$7,676
Step 2 $43,534 $1,674.38 $20.86 +$7,932
Step 3 $44,938 $1,728.38 $21.53 +$8,188
Step 4 $46,342 $1,782.38 $22.21 +$8,444
Step 5 $47,745 $1,836.35 $22.88 +$8,699
Step 6 $49,149 $1,890.35 $23.55 +$8,955
Step 7 $50,553 $1,944.35 $24.22 +$9,211
Step 8 $51,957 $1,998.35 $24.90 +$9,467
Step 9 $53,361 $2,052.35 $25.57 +$9,723
Step 10 $54,764 $2,106.31 $26.24 +$9,978
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Richmond pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $34,454
  • Richmond GS-5 Step 1 $42,130
  • Locality add-on +$7,676
  • Adjustment percent 22.28%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,786
  • Richmond GS-5 Step 10 $54,764

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 Richmond: what to expect

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

For 2025, the Richmond pay area adds a 22.28% 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 Richmond

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $1,620 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,106. 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 Richmond page.

Other grades in Richmond

GS-5 in Richmond questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Richmond?
    In 2025, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $42,130 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,764. This is 22.28% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,676 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Richmond?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $1,620 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.