Federal Employee Question

Actinguy1

Hi all,

I began my federal career a little over a year ago, and I've absolutely loved it. Now that I have my "year in grade", I decided to apply for a few GS promotions in other areas of the country, just to see if anyone bit. Much to my surprise, someone did: I have an interview later this week.

The catch is that I would have to relocate to a new state. I'm open to this idea, but I'm interested in how my new GS position would be calculated. Because this is both a promotion AND a relocation, I'm having trouble understanding what the new salary would be.

I'm currently a GS 12-2 in the Washington DC locality. The new job (if it's offered to me) would be GS 13 in the Dayton Ohio locality...but I'm interested in what the step would be. I've googled this of course, but the explanation is a little too "legalese" for me.

Can anyone help me figure it out? Thanks!

TL;DR: Currently a GS 12-2 in Washington DC area, considering GS13 job in Dayton Ohio. What would my step/salary be?

Radiation

Only time (from my understanding) that you would get a bump in step is if the previous series and step was higher than the promotion step 1.

So, a gs-11 step 8 wouldn't go to GS-12 step 1. They'd go to whatever counted out to be higher in the GS-12 scale that was higher than GS-11 step 8.

In your case, since you are changing locations, I'd check in the same locality chart (although I'm pretty certain you're going to go to step one.)
Goodluck and congrats! I'm currently trying to break into the GS after leaving the military.

Enc

Cost of living in Dayton is probably far less than Washington D.C., so if your net salary is increasing it will likely go considerably farther.

Actinguy1

Thanks everyone!

Yes, the cost of living in Dayton is insanely cheaper. I looked around online, and the house we rent in the DC area for around 1400 a month goes for about 500 bucks a month in Dayton for a similar house. Plus my salary would be going up in actual dollars, so overall it'll be a big boost.

As I understand it, the "two step rule" applies here. If I've got that correctly, then (I think) I look at what a GS 12-2 makes in Dayton...increase that by two steps (So GS 12-4 in Dayton) and then look at the lowest step on the GS 13 scale that makes at least that amount of money...which is actually a GS 13-1. I think. If I've done all that correctly.

Darkewolfe

The only last piece of advice I'd give would relate to moving out of DC. This hugely depends on what agency you're with, but DC is generally the hub for most major agencies. Going to state offices can sometimes slow down your career, because you're no longer interacting with the leadership of the DC office and networking. It's not necessarily a big deal, but just put some thought into that part too.

zepherin

Your old gross pay is $77,368 per year, your new pay will be $83,314 per year.

Jumping from 12 to 13 can be a pain in the ass, I know of people in my agency who have been 12s for 10 years. Take it if you have no reason to stay in DC.

Radiation

Yeah, I'd be willing to gargle a decent amount of Wang to land a GS-13 gig.

Seriously though, that's awesome.

Actinguy1

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated Zepherin for helping to confirm my math, and everyone else for the advice. I have no ties to DC...in fact, I actively want to leave the area although I love my current job...so I think I would definitely take the job. Now it's just a matter of turning the interview into an actual offer. ;c)