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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$134,113 GS-15 Step 1 in Austin (2022)
$174,347 GS-15 Step 10 in Austin (2022)
+$21,223 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 18.80% 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 $134,113 $5,158.19 $64.26 +$21,223
Step 2 $138,584 $5,330.15 $66.40 +$21,931
Step 3 $143,054 $5,502.08 $68.55 +$22,638
Step 4 $147,525 $5,674.04 $70.69 +$23,346
Step 5 $151,995 $5,845.96 $72.83 +$24,053
Step 6 $156,466 $6,017.92 $74.97 +$24,761
Step 7 $160,936 $6,189.85 $77.11 +$25,468
Step 8 $165,406 $6,361.77 $79.26 +$26,175
Step 9 $169,877 $6,533.73 $81.40 +$26,883
Step 10 $174,347 $6,705.65 $83.54 +$27,590
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Austin GS-15 Step 1 $134,113
  • Locality add-on +$21,223
  • Adjustment percent 18.80%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Austin GS-15 Step 10 $174,347

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 2022, the Austin pay area adds a 18.80% 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 $5,158 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,706. 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 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-15 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Austin?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $134,113 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $174,347. This is 18.80% 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 2022, it is 18.80%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,223 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 $5,158 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.