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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$125,206 GS-15 Step 1 in AUSTIN (2019)
$162,767 GS-15 Step 10 in AUSTIN (2019)
+$18,611 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for AUSTIN

Each step below already includes the 17.46% 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 $125,206 $4,815.62 $59.99 +$18,611
Step 2 $129,380 $4,976.15 $61.99 +$19,232
Step 3 $133,553 $5,136.65 $63.99 +$19,852
Step 4 $137,727 $5,297.19 $65.99 +$20,473
Step 5 $141,900 $5,457.69 $67.99 +$21,093
Step 6 $146,073 $5,618.19 $69.99 +$21,713
Step 7 $150,247 $5,778.73 $71.99 +$22,334
Step 8 $154,420 $5,939.23 $73.99 +$22,954
Step 9 $158,593 $6,099.73 $75.99 +$23,574
Step 10 $162,767 $6,260.27 $77.99 +$24,195
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more AUSTIN pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • AUSTIN GS-15 Step 1 $125,206
  • Locality add-on +$18,611
  • Adjustment percent 17.46%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • AUSTIN GS-15 Step 10 $162,767

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 AUSTIN: 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 AUSTIN pay area adds a 17.46% 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 AUSTIN

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns roughly $4,816 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,260. 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 AUSTIN page.

Other grades in AUSTIN

GS-15 in AUSTIN questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in AUSTIN?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns $125,206 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $162,767. This is 17.46% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in AUSTIN?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For AUSTIN in 2019, it is 17.46%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,611 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in AUSTIN?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns roughly $4,816 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.