2026 GS-13 Pay in Columbus
GS-13 employees with a duty station in Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH earn 22.15% on top of the base GS-13 pay scale. That means a GS-13 Step 1 salary jumps from $90,925 on the base table to $111,065 in Columbus.
2026 GS-13 Pay in Columbus
Locality-adjusted GS-13 rates for Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $111,065 | $4,271.73 | $53.22 | +$20,140 |
| Step 2 | $114,767 | $4,414.12 | $54.99 | +$20,811 |
| Step 3 | $118,470 | $4,556.54 | $56.77 | +$21,483 |
| Step 4 | $122,172 | $4,698.92 | $58.54 | +$22,154 |
| Step 5 | $125,874 | $4,841.31 | $60.31 | +$22,825 |
| Step 6 | $129,577 | $4,983.73 | $62.09 | +$23,497 |
| Step 7 | $133,279 | $5,126.12 | $63.86 | +$24,168 |
| Step 8 | $136,981 | $5,268.50 | $65.64 | +$24,839 |
| Step 9 | $140,684 | $5,410.92 | $67.41 | +$25,511 |
| Step 10 | $144,386 | $5,553.31 | $69.18 | +$26,182 |
2026 GS-13 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-13 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $111,065 | $4,271.73 | $53.22 | +$20,140 |
| Step 2 | $114,767 | $4,414.12 | $54.99 | +$20,811 |
| Step 3 | $118,470 | $4,556.54 | $56.77 | +$21,483 |
| Step 4 | $122,172 | $4,698.92 | $58.54 | +$22,154 |
| Step 5 | $125,874 | $4,841.31 | $60.31 | +$22,825 |
| Step 6 | $129,577 | $4,983.73 | $62.09 | +$23,497 |
| Step 7 | $133,279 | $5,126.12 | $63.86 | +$24,168 |
| Step 8 | $136,981 | $5,268.50 | $65.64 | +$24,839 |
| Step 9 | $140,684 | $5,410.92 | $67.41 | +$25,511 |
| Step 10 | $144,386 | $5,553.31 | $69.18 | +$26,182 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Columbus pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-13 in Columbus: what to expect
Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.
For 2026, the Columbus pay area adds a 22.15% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.
Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.
The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in Columbus
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $4,272 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,553. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Columbus
GS-13 in Columbus questions
-
How much does a GS-13 make in Columbus?
In 2026, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $111,065 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $144,386. This is 22.15% higher than the base GS-13 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in Columbus?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2026, it is 22.15%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,140 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Columbus?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $4,272 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.