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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$138,236 GS-15 Step 1 in Albuquerque (2023)
$179,705 GS-15 Step 10 in Albuquerque (2023)
+$20,718 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Albuquerque

Each step below already includes the 17.63% 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 $138,236 $5,316.77 $66.24 +$20,718
Step 2 $142,844 $5,494.00 $68.44 +$21,409
Step 3 $147,452 $5,671.23 $70.65 +$22,100
Step 4 $152,059 $5,848.42 $72.86 +$22,790
Step 5 $156,667 $6,025.65 $75.07 +$23,481
Step 6 $161,274 $6,202.85 $77.28 +$24,171
Step 7 $165,882 $6,380.08 $79.48 +$24,862
Step 8 $170,489 $6,557.27 $81.69 +$25,552
Step 9 $175,097 $6,734.50 $83.90 +$26,243
Step 10 $179,705 $6,911.73 $86.11 +$26,934
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Albuquerque pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Albuquerque GS-15 Step 1 $138,236
  • Locality add-on +$20,718
  • Adjustment percent 17.63%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Albuquerque GS-15 Step 10 $179,705

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 Albuquerque: 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 2023, the Albuquerque pay area adds a 17.63% 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 Albuquerque

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $5,317 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,912. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Albuquerque page.

Other grades in Albuquerque

GS-15 in Albuquerque questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Albuquerque?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $138,236 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $179,705. This is 17.63% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Albuquerque?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albuquerque in 2023, it is 17.63%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,718 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Albuquerque?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $5,317 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.