2025 GS-15 Pay in Atlanta
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL earn 23.79% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $125,133 on the base table to $154,902 in Atlanta.
2025 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 | $154,902 | $5,957.77 | $74.22 | +$29,769 |
| Step 2 | $160,065 | $6,156.35 | $76.70 | +$30,761 |
| Step 3 | $165,229 | $6,354.96 | $79.17 | +$31,754 |
| Step 4 | $170,392 | $6,553.54 | $81.64 | +$32,746 |
| Step 5 | $175,555 | $6,752.12 | $84.12 | +$33,738 |
| Step 6 | $180,719 | $6,950.73 | $86.59 | +$34,731 |
| Step 7 | $185,882 | $7,149.31 | $89.07 | +$35,723 |
| Step 8 | $191,045 | $7,347.88 | $91.54 | +$36,715 |
| Step 9 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$36,699 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Atlanta
Each step below already includes the 23.79% 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 | $154,902 | $5,957.77 | $74.22 | +$29,769 |
| Step 2 | $160,065 | $6,156.35 | $76.70 | +$30,761 |
| Step 3 | $165,229 | $6,354.96 | $79.17 | +$31,754 |
| Step 4 | $170,392 | $6,553.54 | $81.64 | +$32,746 |
| Step 5 | $175,555 | $6,752.12 | $84.12 | +$33,738 |
| Step 6 | $180,719 | $6,950.73 | $86.59 | +$34,731 |
| Step 7 | $185,882 | $7,149.31 | $89.07 | +$35,723 |
| Step 8 | $191,045 | $7,347.88 | $91.54 | +$36,715 |
| Step 9 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$36,699 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
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 2025, the Atlanta pay area adds a 23.79% 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 $5,958 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,508. 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 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 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns $154,902 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,200. This is 23.79% 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 2025, it is 23.79%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,769 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 $5,958 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.