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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$121,234 GS-15 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2015)
$157,608 GS-15 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2015)
+$19,604 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $121,234 $4,662.85 $58.09 +$19,604
Step 2 $125,276 $4,818.31 $60.03 +$20,258
Step 3 $129,318 $4,973.77 $61.96 +$20,912
Step 4 $133,359 $5,129.19 $63.90 +$21,565
Step 5 $137,401 $5,284.65 $65.84 +$22,219
Step 6 $141,442 $5,440.08 $67.77 +$22,872
Step 7 $145,484 $5,595.54 $69.71 +$23,526
Step 8 $149,525 $5,750.96 $71.65 +$24,179
Step 9 $153,567 $5,906.42 $73.58 +$24,833
Step 10 $157,608 $6,061.85 $75.52 +$25,486
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 1 $121,234
  • Locality add-on +$19,604
  • Adjustment percent 19.29%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 10 $157,608

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-15 in ATLANTA: what to expect

Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.

For 2015, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 19.29% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.

Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).

The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in ATLANTA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $4,663 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,062. 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-15 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-15 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $121,234 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $157,608. This is 19.29% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,604 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in ATLANTA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $4,663 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.