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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,058 GS-12 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2018)
$100,175 GS-12 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2018)
+$13,458 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for ATLANTA

Each step below already includes the 21.16% 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 $77,058 $2,963.77 $36.92 +$13,458
Step 2 $79,626 $3,062.54 $38.15 +$13,906
Step 3 $82,195 $3,161.35 $39.38 +$14,355
Step 4 $84,764 $3,260.15 $40.62 +$14,804
Step 5 $87,332 $3,358.92 $41.85 +$15,252
Step 6 $89,901 $3,457.73 $43.08 +$15,701
Step 7 $92,469 $3,556.50 $44.31 +$16,149
Step 8 $95,038 $3,655.31 $45.54 +$16,598
Step 9 $97,606 $3,754.08 $46.77 +$17,046
Step 10 $100,175 $3,852.88 $48.00 +$17,495
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 1 $77,058
  • Locality add-on +$13,458
  • Adjustment percent 21.16%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 10 $100,175

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 2018, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 21.16% 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 $2,964 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,853. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 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 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $77,058 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,175. This is 21.16% 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 2018, it is 21.16%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,458 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 $2,964 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.