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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$123,405 GS-15 Step 1 in BIRMINGHAM (2019)
$160,425 GS-15 Step 10 in BIRMINGHAM (2019)
+$16,810 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for BIRMINGHAM

Each step below already includes the 15.77% 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 $123,405 $4,746.35 $59.13 +$16,810
Step 2 $127,518 $4,904.54 $61.10 +$17,370
Step 3 $131,632 $5,062.77 $63.07 +$17,931
Step 4 $135,745 $5,220.96 $65.04 +$18,491
Step 5 $139,858 $5,379.15 $67.01 +$19,051
Step 6 $143,972 $5,537.38 $68.99 +$19,612
Step 7 $148,085 $5,695.58 $70.96 +$20,172
Step 8 $152,198 $5,853.77 $72.93 +$20,732
Step 9 $156,311 $6,011.96 $74.90 +$21,292
Step 10 $160,425 $6,170.19 $76.87 +$21,853
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BIRMINGHAM pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • BIRMINGHAM GS-15 Step 1 $123,405
  • Locality add-on +$16,810
  • Adjustment percent 15.77%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • BIRMINGHAM GS-15 Step 10 $160,425

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 BIRMINGHAM: 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 BIRMINGHAM pay area adds a 15.77% 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 BIRMINGHAM

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BIRMINGHAM earns roughly $4,746 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,170. 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 BIRMINGHAM page.

Other grades in BIRMINGHAM

GS-15 in BIRMINGHAM questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in BIRMINGHAM?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BIRMINGHAM earns $123,405 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $160,425. This is 15.77% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in BIRMINGHAM?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For BIRMINGHAM in 2019, it is 15.77%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,810 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in BIRMINGHAM?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in BIRMINGHAM earns roughly $4,746 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.