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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,885 GS-15 Step 1 in ALBUQUERQUE (2021)
$167,550 GS-15 Step 10 in ALBUQUERQUE (2021)
+$18,425 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $128,885 $4,957.12 $61.76 +$18,425
Step 2 $133,181 $5,122.35 $63.81 +$19,039
Step 3 $137,477 $5,287.58 $65.87 +$19,653
Step 4 $141,773 $5,452.81 $67.93 +$20,267
Step 5 $146,069 $5,618.04 $69.99 +$20,881
Step 6 $150,366 $5,783.31 $72.05 +$21,496
Step 7 $154,662 $5,948.54 $74.11 +$22,110
Step 8 $158,958 $6,113.77 $76.17 +$22,724
Step 9 $163,254 $6,279.00 $78.22 +$23,338
Step 10 $167,550 $6,444.23 $80.28 +$23,952
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more ALBUQUERQUE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-15 Step 1 $128,885
  • Locality add-on +$18,425
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • ALBUQUERQUE GS-15 Step 10 $167,550

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 2021, 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 $4,957 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,444. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 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 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ALBUQUERQUE earns $128,885 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $167,550. 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 2021, it is 16.68%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,425 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 $4,957 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.