An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,260 GS-12 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2016)
$96,538 GS-12 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2016)
+$12,159 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for ATLANTA

Each step below already includes the 19.58% 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 $74,260 $2,856.15 $35.58 +$12,159
Step 2 $76,736 $2,951.38 $36.77 +$12,565
Step 3 $79,211 $3,046.58 $37.95 +$12,970
Step 4 $81,686 $3,141.77 $39.14 +$13,375
Step 5 $84,162 $3,237.00 $40.33 +$13,781
Step 6 $86,637 $3,332.19 $41.51 +$14,186
Step 7 $89,112 $3,427.38 $42.70 +$14,591
Step 8 $91,588 $3,522.62 $43.89 +$14,997
Step 9 $94,063 $3,617.81 $45.07 +$15,402
Step 10 $96,538 $3,713.00 $46.26 +$15,807
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 1 $74,260
  • Locality add-on +$12,159
  • Adjustment percent 19.58%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 10 $96,538

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 2016, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 19.58% 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 $2,856 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,713. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $74,260 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,538. This is 19.58% 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 2016, it is 19.58%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,159 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 $2,856 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.