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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,070 GS-5 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2018)
$45,593 GS-5 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2018)
+$6,125 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,070 $1,348.85 $16.80 +$6,125
Step 2 $36,239 $1,393.81 $17.36 +$6,329
Step 3 $37,408 $1,438.77 $17.92 +$6,533
Step 4 $38,577 $1,483.73 $18.48 +$6,737
Step 5 $39,747 $1,528.73 $19.05 +$6,942
Step 6 $40,916 $1,573.69 $19.61 +$7,146
Step 7 $42,085 $1,618.65 $20.17 +$7,350
Step 8 $43,254 $1,663.62 $20.73 +$7,554
Step 9 $44,423 $1,708.58 $21.29 +$7,758
Step 10 $45,593 $1,753.58 $21.85 +$7,963
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,945
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 1 $35,070
  • Locality add-on +$6,125
  • Adjustment percent 21.16%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,630
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 10 $45,593

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 2018, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 21.16% 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 $1,349 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,754. 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-5 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-5 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2018, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $35,070 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,593. This is 21.16% 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 2018, it is 21.16%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,125 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 $1,349 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.