2026 GS-15 Pay in Albuquerque
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM earn 18.33% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $149,550 in Albuquerque.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Albuquerque
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $149,550 | $5,751.92 | $71.66 | +$23,166 |
| Step 2 | $154,535 | $5,943.65 | $74.05 | +$23,938 |
| Step 3 | $159,521 | $6,135.42 | $76.44 | +$24,711 |
| Step 4 | $164,506 | $6,327.15 | $78.82 | +$25,483 |
| Step 5 | $169,491 | $6,518.88 | $81.21 | +$26,255 |
| Step 6 | $174,476 | $6,710.62 | $83.60 | +$27,027 |
| Step 7 | $179,462 | $6,902.38 | $85.99 | +$27,800 |
| Step 8 | $184,447 | $7,094.12 | $88.38 | +$28,572 |
| Step 9 | $189,432 | $7,285.85 | $90.77 | +$29,344 |
| Step 10 | $194,417 | $7,477.58 | $93.16 | +$30,116 |
2026 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 | $149,550 | $5,751.92 | $71.66 | +$23,166 |
| Step 2 | $154,535 | $5,943.65 | $74.05 | +$23,938 |
| Step 3 | $159,521 | $6,135.42 | $76.44 | +$24,711 |
| Step 4 | $164,506 | $6,327.15 | $78.82 | +$25,483 |
| Step 5 | $169,491 | $6,518.88 | $81.21 | +$26,255 |
| Step 6 | $174,476 | $6,710.62 | $83.60 | +$27,027 |
| Step 7 | $179,462 | $6,902.38 | $85.99 | +$27,800 |
| Step 8 | $184,447 | $7,094.12 | $88.38 | +$28,572 |
| Step 9 | $189,432 | $7,285.85 | $90.77 | +$29,344 |
| Step 10 | $194,417 | $7,477.58 | $93.16 | +$30,116 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Albuquerque pays
Step-increase waiting periods
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 2026, 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 $5,752 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,478. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Albuquerque
GS-15 in Albuquerque questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Albuquerque?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albuquerque earns $149,550 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $194,417. 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 2026, it is 18.33%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,166 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 $5,752 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.