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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,701 GS-5 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2019)
$46,408 GS-5 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2019)
+$6,351 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,701 $1,373.12 $17.11 +$6,351
Step 2 $36,891 $1,418.88 $17.68 +$6,563
Step 3 $38,081 $1,464.65 $18.25 +$6,775
Step 4 $39,270 $1,510.38 $18.82 +$6,986
Step 5 $40,460 $1,556.15 $19.39 +$7,198
Step 6 $41,650 $1,601.92 $19.96 +$7,410
Step 7 $42,839 $1,647.65 $20.53 +$7,621
Step 8 $44,029 $1,693.42 $21.10 +$7,833
Step 9 $45,218 $1,739.15 $21.67 +$8,044
Step 10 $46,408 $1,784.92 $22.24 +$8,256
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 1 $35,701
  • Locality add-on +$6,351
  • Adjustment percent 21.64%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • ATLANTA GS-5 Step 10 $46,408

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-5 in ATLANTA: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2019, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 21.64% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in ATLANTA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $1,373 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,785. 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-5 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-5 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $35,701 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,408. This is 21.64% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,351 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in ATLANTA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $1,373 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.