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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$127,608 GS-15 Step 1 in ALBUQUERQUE (2020)
$165,896 GS-15 Step 10 in ALBUQUERQUE (2020)
+$18,242 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for ALBUQUERQUE

Each step below already includes the 16.68% 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 $127,608 $4,908.00 $61.14 +$18,242
Step 2 $131,862 $5,071.62 $63.18 +$18,850
Step 3 $136,117 $5,235.27 $65.22 +$19,459
Step 4 $140,371 $5,398.88 $67.26 +$20,067
Step 5 $144,625 $5,562.50 $69.30 +$20,675
Step 6 $148,879 $5,726.12 $71.34 +$21,283
Step 7 $153,133 $5,889.73 $73.37 +$21,891
Step 8 $157,387 $6,053.35 $75.41 +$22,499
Step 9 $161,641 $6,216.96 $77.45 +$23,107
Step 10 $165,896 $6,380.62 $79.49 +$23,716
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ALBUQUERQUE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-15 Step 1 $127,608
  • Locality add-on +$18,242
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-15 Step 10 $165,896

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 ALBUQUERQUE: 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 2020, the ALBUQUERQUE pay area adds a 16.68% 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 ALBUQUERQUE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $4,908 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,381. 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-15 ALBUQUERQUE page.

Other grades in ALBUQUERQUE

GS-15 in ALBUQUERQUE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in ALBUQUERQUE?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns $127,608 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $165,896. This is 16.68% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ALBUQUERQUE in 2020, it is 16.68%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,242 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in ALBUQUERQUE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns roughly $4,908 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.