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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$147,957 GS-15 Step 1 in Birmingham (2025)
$192,343 GS-15 Step 10 in Birmingham (2025)
+$22,824 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Birmingham

Each step below already includes the 18.24% 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 $147,957 $5,690.65 $70.89 +$22,824
Step 2 $152,889 $5,880.35 $73.26 +$23,585
Step 3 $157,821 $6,070.04 $75.62 +$24,346
Step 4 $162,753 $6,259.73 $77.98 +$25,107
Step 5 $167,684 $6,449.38 $80.35 +$25,867
Step 6 $172,616 $6,639.08 $82.71 +$26,628
Step 7 $177,548 $6,828.77 $85.07 +$27,389
Step 8 $182,480 $7,018.46 $87.44 +$28,150
Step 9 $187,412 $7,208.15 $89.80 +$28,911
Step 10 $192,343 $7,397.81 $92.16 +$29,671
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Birmingham pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 1 $147,957
  • Locality add-on +$22,824
  • Adjustment percent 18.24%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Birmingham GS-15 Step 10 $192,343

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 2025, the Birmingham pay area adds a 18.24% 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 $5,691 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,398. 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 Birmingham page.

Other grades in Birmingham

GS-15 in Birmingham questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Birmingham?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Birmingham earns $147,957 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $192,343. This is 18.24% 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 2025, it is 18.24%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,824 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 $5,691 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.