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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$73,347 GS-12 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2015)
$95,356 GS-12 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2015)
+$11,861 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for ATLANTA

Each step below already includes the 19.29% 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 $73,347 $2,821.04 $35.14 +$11,861
Step 2 $75,792 $2,915.08 $36.32 +$12,256
Step 3 $78,238 $3,009.15 $37.49 +$12,652
Step 4 $80,683 $3,103.19 $38.66 +$13,047
Step 5 $83,128 $3,197.23 $39.83 +$13,442
Step 6 $85,574 $3,291.31 $41.00 +$13,838
Step 7 $88,019 $3,385.35 $42.17 +$14,233
Step 8 $90,465 $3,479.42 $43.35 +$14,629
Step 9 $92,910 $3,573.46 $44.52 +$15,024
Step 10 $95,356 $3,667.54 $45.69 +$15,420
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 1 $73,347
  • Locality add-on +$11,861
  • Adjustment percent 19.29%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 10 $95,356

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-12 in ATLANTA: 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 2015, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 19.29% 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 ATLANTA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $2,821 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,668. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-12 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $73,347 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $95,356. This is 19.29% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in ATLANTA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ATLANTA in 2015, it is 19.29%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,861 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in ATLANTA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $2,821 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.