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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$124,560 GS-15 Step 1 in HUNTSVILLE (2018)
$161,927 GS-15 Step 10 in HUNTSVILLE (2018)
+$19,437 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 pay table for HUNTSVILLE

Each step below already includes the 18.49% 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 $124,560 $4,790.77 $59.68 +$19,437
Step 2 $128,712 $4,950.46 $61.67 +$20,085
Step 3 $132,864 $5,110.15 $63.66 +$20,733
Step 4 $137,016 $5,269.85 $65.65 +$21,381
Step 5 $141,168 $5,429.54 $67.64 +$22,029
Step 6 $145,320 $5,589.23 $69.63 +$22,677
Step 7 $149,472 $5,748.92 $71.62 +$23,325
Step 8 $153,623 $5,908.58 $73.61 +$23,972
Step 9 $157,775 $6,068.27 $75.60 +$24,620
Step 10 $161,927 $6,227.96 $77.59 +$25,268
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HUNTSVILLE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • HUNTSVILLE GS-15 Step 1 $124,560
  • Locality add-on +$19,437
  • Adjustment percent 18.49%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • HUNTSVILLE GS-15 Step 10 $161,927

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 HUNTSVILLE: 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 HUNTSVILLE pay area adds a 18.49% 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 HUNTSVILLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns roughly $4,791 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,228. 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 HUNTSVILLE page.

Other grades in HUNTSVILLE

GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in HUNTSVILLE?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns $124,560 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,927. This is 18.49% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HUNTSVILLE in 2018, it is 18.49%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,437 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns roughly $4,791 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.