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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$127,367 GS-15 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2018)
$164,200 GS-15 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2018)
+$22,244 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $127,367 $4,898.73 $61.03 +$22,244
Step 2 $131,612 $5,062.00 $63.06 +$22,985
Step 3 $135,858 $5,225.31 $65.10 +$23,727
Step 4 $140,103 $5,388.58 $67.13 +$24,468
Step 5 $144,349 $5,551.88 $69.17 +$25,210
Step 6 $148,594 $5,715.15 $71.20 +$25,951
Step 7 $152,840 $5,878.46 $73.23 +$26,693
Step 8 $157,085 $6,041.73 $75.27 +$27,434
Step 9 $161,331 $6,205.04 $77.30 +$28,176
Step 10 $164,200 $6,315.38 $78.68 +$27,541
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 1 $127,367
  • Locality add-on +$22,244
  • Adjustment percent 21.16%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • ATLANTA GS-15 Step 10 $164,200

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 2018, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 21.16% 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 $4,899 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,315. 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-15 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-15 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $127,367 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,200. This is 21.16% 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 2018, it is 21.16%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,244 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 $4,899 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.