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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$130,531 GS-15 Step 1 in AUSTIN (2021)
$169,690 GS-15 Step 10 in AUSTIN (2021)
+$20,071 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $130,531 $5,020.42 $62.54 +$20,071
Step 2 $134,882 $5,187.77 $64.63 +$20,740
Step 3 $139,233 $5,355.12 $66.71 +$21,409
Step 4 $143,584 $5,522.46 $68.80 +$22,078
Step 5 $147,935 $5,689.81 $70.88 +$22,747
Step 6 $152,286 $5,857.15 $72.97 +$23,416
Step 7 $156,637 $6,024.50 $75.05 +$24,085
Step 8 $160,988 $6,191.85 $77.14 +$24,754
Step 9 $165,339 $6,359.19 $79.22 +$25,423
Step 10 $169,690 $6,526.54 $81.31 +$26,092
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more AUSTIN pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • AUSTIN GS-15 Step 1 $130,531
  • Locality add-on +$20,071
  • Adjustment percent 18.17%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • AUSTIN GS-15 Step 10 $169,690

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 2021, 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 $5,020 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,527. 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 AUSTIN page.

Other grades in AUSTIN

GS-15 in AUSTIN questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in AUSTIN?
    In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns $130,531 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $169,690. 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 2021, it is 18.17%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,071 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 $5,020 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.