The GS-5 pay grade generally marks an entry-level position. Starting salary for a GS-5 employee is $27,982.00 per year at Step 1, with a maximum possible base pay of $36,379.00 per year at Step 10.The hourly base pay of a Step 1 GS-5 employee is $13.41 per hour 1.Generally, employees will start as a GS-5 Step 1 and advance one step at a time as they gain more experience on the position.he GS-5 pay grade generally marks an entry-level position. Starting salary for a GS-5 employee is $27,982.00 per year at Step 1, with a maximum possible base pay of $36,379.00 per year at Step 10.