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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$122,744 GS-15 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2016)
$159,572 GS-15 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2016)
+$20,098 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $122,744 $4,720.92 $58.81 +$20,098
Step 2 $126,836 $4,878.31 $60.77 +$20,768
Step 3 $130,928 $5,035.69 $62.74 +$21,438
Step 4 $135,020 $5,193.08 $64.70 +$22,108
Step 5 $139,112 $5,350.46 $66.66 +$22,778
Step 6 $143,204 $5,507.85 $68.62 +$23,448
Step 7 $147,296 $5,665.23 $70.58 +$24,118
Step 8 $151,388 $5,822.62 $72.54 +$24,788
Step 9 $155,480 $5,980.00 $74.50 +$25,458
Step 10 $159,572 $6,137.38 $76.46 +$26,128
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $102,646
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 1 $122,744
  • Locality add-on +$20,098
  • Adjustment percent 19.58%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $133,444
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 10 $159,572

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 2016, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 19.58% 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 $4,721 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,137. 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-15 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-15 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $122,744 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $159,572. This is 19.58% 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 2016, it is 19.58%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,098 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 $4,721 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.