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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,421 GS-15 Step 1 in BIRMINGHAM (2021)
$166,947 GS-15 Step 10 in BIRMINGHAM (2021)
+$17,961 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-15 pay table for BIRMINGHAM

Each step below already includes the 16.26% 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 $128,421 $4,939.27 $61.53 +$17,961
Step 2 $132,701 $5,103.88 $63.58 +$18,559
Step 3 $136,982 $5,268.54 $65.64 +$19,158
Step 4 $141,263 $5,433.19 $67.69 +$19,757
Step 5 $145,544 $5,597.85 $69.74 +$20,356
Step 6 $149,824 $5,762.46 $71.79 +$20,954
Step 7 $154,105 $5,927.12 $73.84 +$21,553
Step 8 $158,386 $6,091.77 $75.89 +$22,152
Step 9 $162,666 $6,256.38 $77.94 +$22,750
Step 10 $166,947 $6,421.04 $79.99 +$23,349
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BIRMINGHAM pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • BIRMINGHAM GS-15 Step 1 $128,421
  • Locality add-on +$17,961
  • Adjustment percent 16.26%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • BIRMINGHAM GS-15 Step 10 $166,947

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 BIRMINGHAM: 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 BIRMINGHAM pay area adds a 16.26% 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 BIRMINGHAM

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BIRMINGHAM earns roughly $4,939 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,421. 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 BIRMINGHAM page.

Other grades in BIRMINGHAM

GS-15 in BIRMINGHAM questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in BIRMINGHAM?
    In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BIRMINGHAM earns $128,421 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,947. This is 16.26% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in BIRMINGHAM?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For BIRMINGHAM in 2021, it is 16.26%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,961 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in BIRMINGHAM?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in BIRMINGHAM earns roughly $4,939 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.