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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$54,607 GS-8 Step 1 in Atlanta (2023)
$70,994 GS-8 Step 10 in Atlanta (2023)
+$10,218 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-8 pay table for Atlanta

Each step below already includes the 23.02% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $54,607 $2,100.27 $26.17 +$10,218
Step 2 $56,428 $2,170.31 $27.04 +$10,559
Step 3 $58,249 $2,240.35 $27.91 +$10,900
Step 4 $60,069 $2,310.35 $28.78 +$11,240
Step 5 $61,890 $2,380.38 $29.66 +$11,581
Step 6 $63,711 $2,450.42 $30.53 +$11,922
Step 7 $65,532 $2,520.46 $31.40 +$12,263
Step 8 $67,352 $2,590.46 $32.27 +$12,603
Step 9 $69,173 $2,660.50 $33.14 +$12,944
Step 10 $70,994 $2,730.54 $34.02 +$13,285
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Atlanta pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $44,389
  • Atlanta GS-8 Step 1 $54,607
  • Locality add-on +$10,218
  • Adjustment percent 23.02%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $57,709
  • Atlanta GS-8 Step 10 $70,994

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-8 in Atlanta: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2023, the Atlanta pay area adds a 23.02% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Atlanta

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns roughly $2,100 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,731. 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-8 Atlanta page.

Other grades in Atlanta

GS-8 in Atlanta questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Atlanta?
    In 2023, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns $54,607 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $70,994. This is 23.02% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in Atlanta?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Atlanta in 2023, it is 23.02%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,218 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Atlanta?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns roughly $2,100 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.