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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,796 GS-5 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2016)
$43,934 GS-5 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2016)
+$5,534 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,796 $1,299.85 $16.19 +$5,534
Step 2 $34,922 $1,343.15 $16.73 +$5,718
Step 3 $36,049 $1,386.50 $17.27 +$5,903
Step 4 $37,175 $1,429.81 $17.81 +$6,087
Step 5 $38,301 $1,473.12 $18.35 +$6,271
Step 6 $39,428 $1,516.46 $18.89 +$6,456
Step 7 $40,554 $1,559.77 $19.43 +$6,640
Step 8 $41,681 $1,603.12 $19.97 +$6,825
Step 9 $42,807 $1,646.42 $20.51 +$7,009
Step 10 $43,934 $1,689.77 $21.05 +$7,194
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 1 $33,796
  • Locality add-on +$5,534
  • Adjustment percent 19.58%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 10 $43,934

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-5 in ATLANTA: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2016, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 19.58% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in ATLANTA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $1,300 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,690. 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-5 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-5 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $33,796 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,934. This is 19.58% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,534 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in ATLANTA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $1,300 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.