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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$147,637 GS-15 Step 1 in Austin (2024)
$191,900 GS-15 Step 10 in Austin (2024)
+$24,596 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Austin

Each step below already includes the 19.99% 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 $147,637 $5,678.35 $70.74 +$24,596
Step 2 $152,558 $5,867.62 $73.10 +$25,416
Step 3 $157,478 $6,056.85 $75.46 +$26,235
Step 4 $162,399 $6,246.12 $77.81 +$27,055
Step 5 $167,320 $6,435.38 $80.17 +$27,875
Step 6 $172,241 $6,624.65 $82.53 +$28,695
Step 7 $177,162 $6,813.92 $84.89 +$29,515
Step 8 $182,082 $7,003.15 $87.25 +$30,334
Step 9 $187,003 $7,192.42 $89.60 +$31,154
Step 10 $191,900 $7,380.77 $91.95 +$31,950
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Austin pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Austin GS-15 Step 1 $147,637
  • Locality add-on +$24,596
  • Adjustment percent 19.99%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Austin GS-15 Step 10 $191,900

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 Austin: 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 Austin pay area adds a 19.99% 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 Austin

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $5,678 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 Austin page.

Other grades in Austin

GS-15 in Austin questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Austin?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $147,637 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 19.99% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Austin?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2024, it is 19.99%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,596 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Austin?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $5,678 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.