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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$148,070 GS-15 Step 1 in Albuquerque (2025)
$192,490 GS-15 Step 10 in Albuquerque (2025)
+$22,937 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Albuquerque

Each step below already includes the 18.33% 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 $148,070 $5,695.00 $70.95 +$22,937
Step 2 $153,005 $5,884.81 $73.31 +$23,701
Step 3 $157,941 $6,074.65 $75.68 +$24,466
Step 4 $162,877 $6,264.50 $78.04 +$25,231
Step 5 $167,812 $6,454.31 $80.41 +$25,995
Step 6 $172,748 $6,644.15 $82.77 +$26,760
Step 7 $177,683 $6,833.96 $85.14 +$27,524
Step 8 $182,619 $7,023.81 $87.50 +$28,289
Step 9 $187,554 $7,213.62 $89.87 +$29,053
Step 10 $192,490 $7,403.46 $92.23 +$29,818
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Albuquerque pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Albuquerque GS-15 Step 1 $148,070
  • Locality add-on +$22,937
  • Adjustment percent 18.33%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Albuquerque GS-15 Step 10 $192,490

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 Albuquerque: 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 2025, the Albuquerque pay area adds a 18.33% 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 Albuquerque

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $5,695 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,403. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Albuquerque page.

Other grades in Albuquerque

GS-15 in Albuquerque questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Albuquerque?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $148,070 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $192,490. This is 18.33% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Albuquerque?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albuquerque in 2025, it is 18.33%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,937 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Albuquerque?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns roughly $5,695 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.