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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$132,386 GS-15 Step 1 in HUNTSVILLE (2021)
$172,102 GS-15 Step 10 in HUNTSVILLE (2021)
+$21,926 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $132,386 $5,091.77 $63.43 +$21,926
Step 2 $136,799 $5,261.50 $65.55 +$22,657
Step 3 $141,212 $5,431.23 $67.66 +$23,388
Step 4 $145,625 $5,600.96 $69.78 +$24,119
Step 5 $150,038 $5,770.69 $71.89 +$24,850
Step 6 $154,451 $5,940.42 $74.01 +$25,581
Step 7 $158,864 $6,110.15 $76.12 +$26,312
Step 8 $163,276 $6,279.85 $78.23 +$27,042
Step 9 $167,689 $6,449.58 $80.35 +$27,773
Step 10 $172,102 $6,619.31 $82.46 +$28,504
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HUNTSVILLE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • HUNTSVILLE GS-15 Step 1 $132,386
  • Locality add-on +$21,926
  • Adjustment percent 19.85%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • HUNTSVILLE GS-15 Step 10 $172,102

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 2021, 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 $5,092 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,619. 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 HUNTSVILLE page.

Other grades in HUNTSVILLE

GS-15 in HUNTSVILLE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in HUNTSVILLE?
    In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HUNTSVILLE earns $132,386 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,102. 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 2021, it is 19.85%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,926 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 $5,092 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.