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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$63,768 GS-9 Step 1 in Columbus (2025)
$82,897 GS-9 Step 10 in Columbus (2025)
+$11,563 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-9 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 22.15% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $63,768 $2,452.62 $30.55 +$11,563
Step 2 $65,894 $2,534.38 $31.57 +$11,949
Step 3 $68,019 $2,616.12 $32.59 +$12,334
Step 4 $70,145 $2,697.88 $33.61 +$12,720
Step 5 $72,270 $2,779.62 $34.63 +$13,105
Step 6 $74,395 $2,861.35 $35.65 +$13,490
Step 7 $76,521 $2,943.12 $36.67 +$13,876
Step 8 $78,646 $3,024.85 $37.68 +$14,261
Step 9 $80,772 $3,106.62 $38.70 +$14,647
Step 10 $82,897 $3,188.35 $39.72 +$15,032
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $52,205
  • Columbus GS-9 Step 1 $63,768
  • Locality add-on +$11,563
  • Adjustment percent 22.15%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $67,865
  • Columbus GS-9 Step 10 $82,897

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-9 in Columbus: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2025, the Columbus pay area adds a 22.15% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 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-9 in Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $2,453 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,188. 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-9 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-9 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Columbus?
    In 2025, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $63,768 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $82,897. This is 22.15% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2025, it is 22.15%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,563 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $2,453 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.