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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,454 GS-5 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2017)
$44,795 GS-5 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2017)
+$5,909 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,454 $1,325.15 $16.51 +$5,909
Step 2 $35,603 $1,369.35 $17.06 +$6,106
Step 3 $36,752 $1,413.54 $17.61 +$6,303
Step 4 $37,901 $1,457.73 $18.16 +$6,500
Step 5 $39,050 $1,501.92 $18.71 +$6,697
Step 6 $40,199 $1,546.12 $19.26 +$6,894
Step 7 $41,348 $1,590.31 $19.81 +$7,091
Step 8 $42,497 $1,634.50 $20.36 +$7,288
Step 9 $43,646 $1,678.69 $20.91 +$7,485
Step 10 $44,795 $1,722.88 $21.46 +$7,682
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 1 $34,454
  • Locality add-on +$5,909
  • Adjustment percent 20.70%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 10 $44,795

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 2017, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 20.70% 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 $1,325 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,723. 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-5 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-5 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $34,454 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,795. This is 20.70% 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 2017, it is 20.70%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,909 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 $1,325 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.