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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,705 GS-12 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2017)
$98,420 GS-12 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2017)
+$12,983 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for ATLANTA

Each step below already includes the 20.70% 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 $75,705 $2,911.73 $36.27 +$12,983
Step 2 $78,229 $3,008.81 $37.48 +$13,416
Step 3 $80,753 $3,105.88 $38.69 +$13,849
Step 4 $83,277 $3,202.96 $39.90 +$14,282
Step 5 $85,801 $3,300.04 $41.11 +$14,715
Step 6 $88,325 $3,397.12 $42.32 +$15,148
Step 7 $90,848 $3,494.15 $43.53 +$15,580
Step 8 $93,372 $3,591.23 $44.74 +$16,013
Step 9 $95,896 $3,688.31 $45.95 +$16,446
Step 10 $98,420 $3,785.38 $47.16 +$16,879
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 1 $75,705
  • Locality add-on +$12,983
  • Adjustment percent 20.70%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 10 $98,420

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 2017, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 20.70% 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 $2,912 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,785. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $75,705 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,420. This is 20.70% 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 2017, it is 20.70%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,983 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 $2,912 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.