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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$137,978 GS-15 Step 1 in Birmingham (2023)
$179,368 GS-15 Step 10 in Birmingham (2023)
+$20,460 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Birmingham

Each step below already includes the 17.41% 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 $137,978 $5,306.85 $66.11 +$20,460
Step 2 $142,577 $5,483.73 $68.32 +$21,142
Step 3 $147,176 $5,660.62 $70.52 +$21,824
Step 4 $151,775 $5,837.50 $72.72 +$22,506
Step 5 $156,374 $6,014.38 $74.93 +$23,188
Step 6 $160,973 $6,191.27 $77.13 +$23,870
Step 7 $165,572 $6,368.15 $79.33 +$24,552
Step 8 $170,171 $6,545.04 $81.54 +$25,234
Step 9 $174,769 $6,721.88 $83.74 +$25,915
Step 10 $179,368 $6,898.77 $85.95 +$26,597
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Birmingham pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 1 $137,978
  • Locality add-on +$20,460
  • Adjustment percent 17.41%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 10 $179,368

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 2023, the Birmingham pay area adds a 17.41% 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 $5,307 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,899. 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 Birmingham page.

Other grades in Birmingham

GS-15 in Birmingham questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Birmingham?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Birmingham earns $137,978 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $179,368. This is 17.41% 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 2023, it is 17.41%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,460 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 $5,307 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.