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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$40,614 GS-5 Step 1 in Rochester (2025)
$52,794 GS-5 Step 10 in Rochester (2025)
+$6,160 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-5 pay table for Rochester

Each step below already includes the 17.88% 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 $40,614 $1,562.08 $19.46 +$6,160
Step 2 $41,968 $1,614.15 $20.11 +$6,366
Step 3 $43,321 $1,666.19 $20.76 +$6,571
Step 4 $44,674 $1,718.23 $21.41 +$6,776
Step 5 $46,027 $1,770.27 $22.05 +$6,981
Step 6 $47,381 $1,822.35 $22.70 +$7,187
Step 7 $48,734 $1,874.38 $23.35 +$7,392
Step 8 $50,087 $1,926.42 $24.00 +$7,597
Step 9 $51,440 $1,978.46 $24.65 +$7,802
Step 10 $52,794 $2,030.54 $25.30 +$8,008
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rochester pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $34,454
  • Rochester GS-5 Step 1 $40,614
  • Locality add-on +$6,160
  • Adjustment percent 17.88%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,786
  • Rochester GS-5 Step 10 $52,794

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 Rochester: what to expect

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

For 2025, the Rochester pay area adds a 17.88% 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 Rochester

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $1,562 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,031. 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 Rochester page.

Other grades in Rochester

GS-5 in Rochester questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Rochester?
    In 2025, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns $40,614 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $52,794. This is 17.88% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Rochester?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rochester in 2025, it is 17.88%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,160 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Rochester?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $1,562 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.