2019 GS-15 Pay in ATLANTA
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL earn 21.64% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $106,595 on the base table to $129,662 in ATLANTA.
2019 GS-15 Pay in ATLANTA
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $129,662 | $4,987.00 | $62.13 | +$23,067 |
| Step 2 | $133,984 | $5,153.23 | $64.20 | +$23,836 |
| Step 3 | $138,306 | $5,319.46 | $66.27 | +$24,605 |
| Step 4 | $142,628 | $5,485.69 | $68.34 | +$25,374 |
| Step 5 | $146,950 | $5,651.92 | $70.41 | +$26,143 |
| Step 6 | $151,272 | $5,818.15 | $72.48 | +$26,912 |
| Step 7 | $155,593 | $5,984.35 | $74.55 | +$27,680 |
| Step 8 | $159,915 | $6,150.58 | $76.62 | +$28,449 |
| Step 9 | $164,237 | $6,316.81 | $78.70 | +$29,218 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
2019 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $129,662 | $4,987.00 | $62.13 | +$23,067 |
| Step 2 | $133,984 | $5,153.23 | $64.20 | +$23,836 |
| Step 3 | $138,306 | $5,319.46 | $66.27 | +$24,605 |
| Step 4 | $142,628 | $5,485.69 | $68.34 | +$25,374 |
| Step 5 | $146,950 | $5,651.92 | $70.41 | +$26,143 |
| Step 6 | $151,272 | $5,818.15 | $72.48 | +$26,912 |
| Step 7 | $155,593 | $5,984.35 | $74.55 | +$27,680 |
| Step 8 | $159,915 | $6,150.58 | $76.62 | +$28,449 |
| Step 9 | $164,237 | $6,316.81 | $78.70 | +$29,218 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more ATLANTA pays
Step-increase waiting periods
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 2019, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 21.64% 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 $4,987 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. 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 ATLANTA page.
Other grades in ATLANTA
GS-15 in ATLANTA questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in ATLANTA?
In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $129,662 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 21.64% 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 2019, it is 21.64%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,067 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 $4,987 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.