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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$78,446 GS-12 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2019)
$101,983 GS-12 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2019)
+$13,956 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for ATLANTA

Each step below already includes the 21.64% 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 $78,446 $3,017.15 $37.59 +$13,956
Step 2 $81,061 $3,117.73 $38.84 +$14,421
Step 3 $83,676 $3,218.31 $40.09 +$14,886
Step 4 $86,291 $3,318.88 $41.35 +$15,351
Step 5 $88,907 $3,419.50 $42.60 +$15,817
Step 6 $91,522 $3,520.08 $43.85 +$16,282
Step 7 $94,137 $3,620.65 $45.11 +$16,747
Step 8 $96,752 $3,721.23 $46.36 +$17,212
Step 9 $99,368 $3,821.85 $47.61 +$17,678
Step 10 $101,983 $3,922.42 $48.87 +$18,143
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 1 $78,446
  • Locality add-on +$13,956
  • Adjustment percent 21.64%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 10 $101,983

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 2019, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 21.64% 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 $3,017 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,922. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $78,446 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,983. This is 21.64% 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 2019, it is 21.64%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,956 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 $3,017 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.