2021 GS-15 Pay in ATLANTA
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL earn 22.16% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $110,460 on the base table to $134,938 in ATLANTA.
2021 GS-15 Pay in ATLANTA
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,938 | $5,189.92 | $64.66 | +$24,478 |
| Step 2 | $139,436 | $5,362.92 | $66.81 | +$25,294 |
| Step 3 | $143,934 | $5,535.92 | $68.97 | +$26,110 |
| Step 4 | $148,432 | $5,708.92 | $71.12 | +$26,926 |
| Step 5 | $152,930 | $5,881.92 | $73.28 | +$27,742 |
| Step 6 | $157,428 | $6,054.92 | $75.43 | +$28,558 |
| Step 7 | $161,926 | $6,227.92 | $77.59 | +$29,374 |
| Step 8 | $166,423 | $6,400.88 | $79.74 | +$30,189 |
| Step 9 | $170,921 | $6,573.88 | $81.90 | +$31,005 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
2021 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,938 | $5,189.92 | $64.66 | +$24,478 |
| Step 2 | $139,436 | $5,362.92 | $66.81 | +$25,294 |
| Step 3 | $143,934 | $5,535.92 | $68.97 | +$26,110 |
| Step 4 | $148,432 | $5,708.92 | $71.12 | +$26,926 |
| Step 5 | $152,930 | $5,881.92 | $73.28 | +$27,742 |
| Step 6 | $157,428 | $6,054.92 | $75.43 | +$28,558 |
| Step 7 | $161,926 | $6,227.92 | $77.59 | +$29,374 |
| Step 8 | $166,423 | $6,400.88 | $79.74 | +$30,189 |
| Step 9 | $170,921 | $6,573.88 | $81.90 | +$31,005 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more ATLANTA pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in ATLANTA: 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 ATLANTA pay area adds a 22.16% 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 ATLANTA
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $5,190 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,635. 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 ATLANTA page.
Other grades in ATLANTA
GS-15 in ATLANTA questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in ATLANTA?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns $134,938 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. This is 22.16% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in ATLANTA?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For ATLANTA in 2021, it is 22.16%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,478 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in ATLANTA?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in ATLANTA earns roughly $5,190 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.