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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$131,075 GS-15 Step 1 in HUNTSVILLE (2020)
$170,403 GS-15 Step 10 in HUNTSVILLE (2020)
+$21,709 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for HUNTSVILLE

Each step below already includes the 19.85% 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 $131,075 $5,041.35 $62.81 +$21,709
Step 2 $135,445 $5,209.42 $64.90 +$22,433
Step 3 $139,815 $5,377.50 $66.99 +$23,157
Step 4 $144,184 $5,545.54 $69.09 +$23,880
Step 5 $148,554 $5,713.62 $71.18 +$24,604
Step 6 $152,924 $5,881.69 $73.27 +$25,328
Step 7 $157,294 $6,049.77 $75.37 +$26,052
Step 8 $161,663 $6,217.81 $77.46 +$26,775
Step 9 $166,033 $6,385.88 $79.56 +$27,499
Step 10 $170,403 $6,553.96 $81.65 +$28,223
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HUNTSVILLE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • HUNTSVILLE GS-15 Step 1 $131,075
  • Locality add-on +$21,709
  • Adjustment percent 19.85%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • HUNTSVILLE GS-15 Step 10 $170,403

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 HUNTSVILLE: 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 HUNTSVILLE pay area adds a 19.85% 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 HUNTSVILLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns roughly $5,041 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,554. 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 HUNTSVILLE page.

Other grades in HUNTSVILLE

GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in HUNTSVILLE?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns $131,075 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,403. This is 19.85% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HUNTSVILLE in 2020, it is 19.85%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,709 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns roughly $5,041 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.