2026 GS-12 Pay in Richmond
GS-12 employees with a duty station in Richmond, VA earn 22.28% on top of the base GS-12 pay scale. That means a GS-12 Step 1 salary jumps from $76,463 on the base table to $93,499 in Richmond.
2026 GS-12 Pay in Richmond
Locality-adjusted GS-12 rates for Richmond, VA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $93,499 | $3,596.12 | $44.80 | +$17,036 |
| Step 2 | $96,616 | $3,716.00 | $46.29 | +$17,604 |
| Step 3 | $99,733 | $3,835.88 | $47.79 | +$18,172 |
| Step 4 | $102,850 | $3,955.77 | $49.28 | +$18,740 |
| Step 5 | $105,967 | $4,075.65 | $50.77 | +$19,308 |
| Step 6 | $109,084 | $4,195.54 | $52.27 | +$19,876 |
| Step 7 | $112,200 | $4,315.38 | $53.76 | +$20,443 |
| Step 8 | $115,317 | $4,435.27 | $55.25 | +$21,011 |
| Step 9 | $118,434 | $4,555.15 | $56.75 | +$21,579 |
| Step 10 | $121,551 | $4,675.04 | $58.24 | +$22,147 |
2026 GS-12 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-12 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $93,499 | $3,596.12 | $44.80 | +$17,036 |
| Step 2 | $96,616 | $3,716.00 | $46.29 | +$17,604 |
| Step 3 | $99,733 | $3,835.88 | $47.79 | +$18,172 |
| Step 4 | $102,850 | $3,955.77 | $49.28 | +$18,740 |
| Step 5 | $105,967 | $4,075.65 | $50.77 | +$19,308 |
| Step 6 | $109,084 | $4,195.54 | $52.27 | +$19,876 |
| Step 7 | $112,200 | $4,315.38 | $53.76 | +$20,443 |
| Step 8 | $115,317 | $4,435.27 | $55.25 | +$21,011 |
| Step 9 | $118,434 | $4,555.15 | $56.75 | +$21,579 |
| Step 10 | $121,551 | $4,675.04 | $58.24 | +$22,147 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Richmond pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-12 in Richmond: what to expect
Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.
For 2026, the Richmond pay area adds a 22.28% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.
Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.
The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Richmond
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $3,596 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,675. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Richmond
GS-12 in Richmond questions
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How much does a GS-12 make in Richmond?
In 2026, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $93,499 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $121,551. This is 22.28% higher than the base GS-12 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Richmond?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Richmond in 2026, it is 22.28%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,036 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Richmond?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $3,596 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.