Cross-country comparison
GS-05 (United States) vs GS-12 (United States)
United States · General Schedule (GS)
GS-05
Entry-level professional positions for bachelor's degree holders; common starting grade for recent graduates.
$34,799 – $45,239
FY 2026 · annual base · USD
View full GS-05 detail →United States · General Schedule (GS)
GS-12
Senior specialist and first-line supervisor level. Most common grade for experienced federal professionals.
$76,463 – $99,404
FY 2026 · annual base · USD
View full GS-12 detail →How they compare
A GS-05 in the United States federal civil service earns between $34,799 and $45,239 per year at base rates, while a GS-12 in the United States federal civil service earns between $76,463 and $99,404. Both figures are annual base in each country’s currency, before locality adjustments, allowances, or bonuses.
Responsibilities at these grades are not directly comparable — each country’s civil service uses its own classification framework. See the linked authoritative sources for role scoping.