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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$145,078 GS-15 Step 1 in Birmingham (2024)
$188,597 GS-15 Step 10 in Birmingham (2024)
+$22,037 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Birmingham

Each step below already includes the 17.91% 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 $145,078 $5,579.92 $69.52 +$22,037
Step 2 $149,913 $5,765.88 $71.83 +$22,771
Step 3 $154,749 $5,951.88 $74.15 +$23,506
Step 4 $159,584 $6,137.85 $76.47 +$24,240
Step 5 $164,420 $6,323.85 $78.78 +$24,975
Step 6 $169,255 $6,509.81 $81.10 +$25,709
Step 7 $174,091 $6,695.81 $83.42 +$26,444
Step 8 $178,926 $6,881.77 $85.73 +$27,178
Step 9 $183,762 $7,067.77 $88.05 +$27,913
Step 10 $188,597 $7,253.73 $90.37 +$28,647
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Birmingham pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 1 $145,078
  • Locality add-on +$22,037
  • Adjustment percent 17.91%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 10 $188,597

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 2024, the Birmingham pay area adds a 17.91% 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 $5,580 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,254. 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 Birmingham page.

Other grades in Birmingham

GS-15 in Birmingham questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Birmingham?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Birmingham earns $145,078 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $188,597. This is 17.91% 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 2024, it is 17.91%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,037 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 $5,580 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.