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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$56,378 GS-8 Step 1 in Tucson (2025)
$73,296 GS-8 Step 10 in Tucson (2025)
+$9,113 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-8 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 19.28% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $56,378 $2,168.38 $27.01 +$9,113
Step 2 $58,258 $2,240.69 $27.91 +$9,417
Step 3 $60,137 $2,312.96 $28.82 +$9,720
Step 4 $62,017 $2,385.27 $29.72 +$10,024
Step 5 $63,897 $2,457.58 $30.62 +$10,328
Step 6 $65,777 $2,529.88 $31.52 +$10,632
Step 7 $67,657 $2,602.19 $32.42 +$10,936
Step 8 $69,537 $2,674.50 $33.32 +$11,240
Step 9 $71,417 $2,746.81 $34.22 +$11,544
Step 10 $73,296 $2,819.08 $35.12 +$11,847

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $47,265
  • Tucson GS-8 Step 1 $56,378
  • Locality add-on +$9,113
  • Adjustment percent 19.28%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $61,449
  • Tucson GS-8 Step 10 $73,296

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-8 in Tucson: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2025, the Tucson pay area adds a 19.28% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $2,168 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,819. 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-8 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-8 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Tucson?
    In 2025, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $56,378 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $73,296. This is 19.28% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2025, it is 19.28%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,113 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $2,168 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.