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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$58,509 GS-8 Step 1 in Atlanta (2025)
$76,068 GS-8 Step 10 in Atlanta (2025)
+$11,244 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $58,509 $2,250.35 $28.03 +$11,244
Step 2 $60,460 $2,325.38 $28.97 +$11,619
Step 3 $62,411 $2,400.42 $29.90 +$11,994
Step 4 $64,362 $2,475.46 $30.84 +$12,369
Step 5 $66,313 $2,550.50 $31.77 +$12,744
Step 6 $68,264 $2,625.54 $32.71 +$13,119
Step 7 $70,215 $2,700.58 $33.64 +$13,494
Step 8 $72,166 $2,775.62 $34.58 +$13,869
Step 9 $74,117 $2,850.65 $35.51 +$14,244
Step 10 $76,068 $2,925.69 $36.45 +$14,619
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Atlanta pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $47,265
  • Atlanta GS-8 Step 1 $58,509
  • Locality add-on +$11,244
  • Adjustment percent 23.79%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $61,449
  • Atlanta GS-8 Step 10 $76,068

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-8 in Atlanta: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2025, the Atlanta pay area adds a 23.79% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Atlanta

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns roughly $2,250 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,926. 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-8 Atlanta page.

Other grades in Atlanta

GS-8 in Atlanta questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Atlanta?
    In 2025, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns $58,509 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $76,068. This is 23.79% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,244 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Atlanta?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns roughly $2,250 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.