2024 GS-15 Pay in Atlanta
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL earn 23.45% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $151,894 in Atlanta.
2024 GS-15 Pay in Atlanta
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $151,894 | $5,842.08 | $72.78 | +$28,853 |
| Step 2 | $156,957 | $6,036.81 | $75.21 | +$29,815 |
| Step 3 | $162,019 | $6,231.50 | $77.63 | +$30,776 |
| Step 4 | $167,082 | $6,426.23 | $80.06 | +$31,738 |
| Step 5 | $172,145 | $6,620.96 | $82.48 | +$32,700 |
| Step 6 | $177,208 | $6,815.69 | $84.91 | +$33,662 |
| Step 7 | $182,270 | $7,010.38 | $87.34 | +$34,623 |
| Step 8 | $187,333 | $7,205.12 | $89.76 | +$35,585 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
2024 GS-15 pay table for Atlanta
Each step below already includes the 23.45% 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 | $151,894 | $5,842.08 | $72.78 | +$28,853 |
| Step 2 | $156,957 | $6,036.81 | $75.21 | +$29,815 |
| Step 3 | $162,019 | $6,231.50 | $77.63 | +$30,776 |
| Step 4 | $167,082 | $6,426.23 | $80.06 | +$31,738 |
| Step 5 | $172,145 | $6,620.96 | $82.48 | +$32,700 |
| Step 6 | $177,208 | $6,815.69 | $84.91 | +$33,662 |
| Step 7 | $182,270 | $7,010.38 | $87.34 | +$34,623 |
| Step 8 | $187,333 | $7,205.12 | $89.76 | +$35,585 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Atlanta pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Atlanta: 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 2024, the Atlanta pay area adds a 23.45% 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 Atlanta
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns roughly $5,842 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,381. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Atlanta page.
Other grades in Atlanta
GS-15 in Atlanta questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Atlanta?
In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns $151,894 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 23.45% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Atlanta?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Atlanta in 2024, it is 23.45%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,853 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Atlanta?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns roughly $5,842 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.