2022 GS-15 Pay in Atlanta
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL earn 22.63% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $138,437 in Atlanta.
2022 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 | $138,437 | $5,324.50 | $66.33 | +$25,547 |
| Step 2 | $143,052 | $5,502.00 | $68.54 | +$26,399 |
| Step 3 | $147,666 | $5,679.46 | $70.76 | +$27,250 |
| Step 4 | $152,281 | $5,856.96 | $72.97 | +$28,102 |
| Step 5 | $156,895 | $6,034.42 | $75.18 | +$28,953 |
| Step 6 | $161,510 | $6,211.92 | $77.39 | +$29,805 |
| Step 7 | $166,124 | $6,389.38 | $79.60 | +$30,656 |
| Step 8 | $170,739 | $6,566.88 | $81.81 | +$31,508 |
| Step 9 | $175,354 | $6,744.38 | $84.02 | +$32,360 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
2022 GS-15 pay table for Atlanta
Each step below already includes the 22.63% 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 | $138,437 | $5,324.50 | $66.33 | +$25,547 |
| Step 2 | $143,052 | $5,502.00 | $68.54 | +$26,399 |
| Step 3 | $147,666 | $5,679.46 | $70.76 | +$27,250 |
| Step 4 | $152,281 | $5,856.96 | $72.97 | +$28,102 |
| Step 5 | $156,895 | $6,034.42 | $75.18 | +$28,953 |
| Step 6 | $161,510 | $6,211.92 | $77.39 | +$29,805 |
| Step 7 | $166,124 | $6,389.38 | $79.60 | +$30,656 |
| Step 8 | $170,739 | $6,566.88 | $81.81 | +$31,508 |
| Step 9 | $175,354 | $6,744.38 | $84.02 | +$32,360 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
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 2022, the Atlanta pay area adds a 22.63% 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 $5,325 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2022 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 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns $138,437 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 22.63% 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 2022, it is 22.63%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,547 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 $5,325 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.