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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$131,867 GS-15 Step 1 in Birmingham (2022)
$171,427 GS-15 Step 10 in Birmingham (2022)
+$18,977 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Birmingham

Each step below already includes the 16.81% 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 $131,867 $5,071.81 $63.18 +$18,977
Step 2 $136,262 $5,240.85 $65.29 +$19,609
Step 3 $140,658 $5,409.92 $67.40 +$20,242
Step 4 $145,053 $5,578.96 $69.50 +$20,874
Step 5 $149,449 $5,748.04 $71.61 +$21,507
Step 6 $153,845 $5,917.12 $73.72 +$22,140
Step 7 $158,240 $6,086.15 $75.82 +$22,772
Step 8 $162,636 $6,255.23 $77.93 +$23,405
Step 9 $167,031 $6,424.27 $80.03 +$24,037
Step 10 $171,427 $6,593.35 $82.14 +$24,670
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Birmingham pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 1 $131,867
  • Locality add-on +$18,977
  • Adjustment percent 16.81%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 10 $171,427

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 2022, the Birmingham pay area adds a 16.81% 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 $5,072 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,593. 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 Birmingham page.

Other grades in Birmingham

GS-15 in Birmingham questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Birmingham?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Birmingham earns $131,867 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $171,427. This is 16.81% 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 2022, it is 16.81%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,977 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 $5,072 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.