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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$125,132 GS-15 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2017)
$161,900 GS-15 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2017)
+$21,460 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $125,132 $4,812.77 $59.96 +$21,460
Step 2 $129,303 $4,973.19 $61.96 +$22,175
Step 3 $133,475 $5,133.65 $63.96 +$22,891
Step 4 $137,646 $5,294.08 $65.95 +$23,606
Step 5 $141,818 $5,454.54 $67.95 +$24,322
Step 6 $145,989 $5,614.96 $69.95 +$25,037
Step 7 $150,160 $5,775.38 $71.95 +$25,752
Step 8 $154,332 $5,935.85 $73.95 +$26,468
Step 9 $158,503 $6,096.27 $75.95 +$27,183
Step 10 $161,900 $6,226.92 $77.58 +$27,124
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $103,672
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 1 $125,132
  • Locality add-on +$21,460
  • Adjustment percent 20.70%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $134,776
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 10 $161,900

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 2017, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 20.70% 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 $4,813 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,227. 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-15 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-15 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $125,132 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,900. This is 20.70% 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 2017, it is 20.70%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,460 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 $4,813 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.