An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$129,238 GS-15 Step 1 in AUSTIN (2020)
$168,014 GS-15 Step 10 in AUSTIN (2020)
+$19,872 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for AUSTIN

Each step below already includes the 18.17% 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 $129,238 $4,970.69 $61.93 +$19,872
Step 2 $133,546 $5,136.38 $63.99 +$20,534
Step 3 $137,855 $5,302.12 $66.05 +$21,197
Step 4 $142,163 $5,467.81 $68.12 +$21,859
Step 5 $146,472 $5,633.54 $70.18 +$22,522
Step 6 $150,780 $5,799.23 $72.25 +$23,184
Step 7 $155,089 $5,964.96 $74.31 +$23,847
Step 8 $159,397 $6,130.65 $76.38 +$24,509
Step 9 $163,706 $6,296.38 $78.44 +$25,172
Step 10 $168,014 $6,462.08 $80.51 +$25,834
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more AUSTIN pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • AUSTIN GS-15 Step 1 $129,238
  • Locality add-on +$19,872
  • Adjustment percent 18.17%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • AUSTIN GS-15 Step 10 $168,014

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 2020, the AUSTIN pay area adds a 18.17% 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 $4,971 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,462. 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 AUSTIN page.

Other grades in AUSTIN

GS-15 in AUSTIN questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in AUSTIN?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns $129,238 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $168,014. This is 18.17% 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 2020, it is 18.17%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,872 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 $4,971 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.