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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$123,863 GS-15 Step 1 in ALBUQUERQUE (2019)
$161,021 GS-15 Step 10 in ALBUQUERQUE (2019)
+$17,268 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for ALBUQUERQUE

Each step below already includes the 16.20% 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 $123,863 $4,763.96 $59.35 +$17,268
Step 2 $127,992 $4,922.77 $61.33 +$17,844
Step 3 $132,121 $5,081.58 $63.31 +$18,420
Step 4 $136,249 $5,240.35 $65.28 +$18,995
Step 5 $140,378 $5,399.15 $67.26 +$19,571
Step 6 $144,506 $5,557.92 $69.24 +$20,146
Step 7 $148,635 $5,716.73 $71.22 +$20,722
Step 8 $152,763 $5,875.50 $73.20 +$21,297
Step 9 $156,892 $6,034.31 $75.18 +$21,873
Step 10 $161,021 $6,193.12 $77.15 +$22,449
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ALBUQUERQUE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-15 Step 1 $123,863
  • Locality add-on +$17,268
  • Adjustment percent 16.20%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-15 Step 10 $161,021

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 ALBUQUERQUE: 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 2019, the ALBUQUERQUE pay area adds a 16.20% 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 ALBUQUERQUE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $4,764 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,193. 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-15 ALBUQUERQUE page.

Other grades in ALBUQUERQUE

GS-15 in ALBUQUERQUE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in ALBUQUERQUE?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns $123,863 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,021. This is 16.20% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ALBUQUERQUE in 2019, it is 16.20%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,268 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $4,764 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.