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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,830 GS-12 Step 1 in ATLANTA (2020)
$105,083 GS-12 Step 10 in ATLANTA (2020)
+$14,663 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for ATLANTA

Each step below already includes the 22.16% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $80,830 $3,108.85 $38.73 +$14,663
Step 2 $83,524 $3,212.46 $40.02 +$15,151
Step 3 $86,219 $3,316.12 $41.31 +$15,640
Step 4 $88,914 $3,419.77 $42.60 +$16,129
Step 5 $91,609 $3,523.42 $43.90 +$16,618
Step 6 $94,304 $3,627.08 $45.19 +$17,107
Step 7 $96,999 $3,730.73 $46.48 +$17,596
Step 8 $99,694 $3,834.38 $47.77 +$18,085
Step 9 $102,388 $3,938.00 $49.06 +$18,573
Step 10 $105,083 $4,041.65 $50.35 +$19,062
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ATLANTA pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 1 $80,830
  • Locality add-on +$14,663
  • Adjustment percent 22.16%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • ATLANTA GS-12 Step 10 $105,083

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-12 in ATLANTA: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2020, the ATLANTA pay area adds a 22.16% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in ATLANTA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $3,109 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,042. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 ATLANTA page.

Other grades in ATLANTA

GS-12 in ATLANTA questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in ATLANTA?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $80,830 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,083. This is 22.16% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in ATLANTA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ATLANTA in 2020, it is 22.16%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,663 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in ATLANTA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $3,109 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.