2026 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 $126,384 on the base table to $156,451 in Atlanta.
2026 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 | $156,451 | $6,017.35 | $74.96 | +$30,067 |
| Step 2 | $161,666 | $6,217.92 | $77.46 | +$31,069 |
| Step 3 | $166,881 | $6,418.50 | $79.96 | +$32,071 |
| Step 4 | $172,097 | $6,619.12 | $82.46 | +$33,074 |
| Step 5 | $177,312 | $6,819.69 | $84.96 | +$34,076 |
| Step 6 | $182,527 | $7,020.27 | $87.46 | +$35,078 |
| Step 7 | $187,742 | $7,220.85 | $89.96 | +$36,080 |
| Step 8 | $192,958 | $7,421.46 | $92.46 | +$37,083 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 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 | $156,451 | $6,017.35 | $74.96 | +$30,067 |
| Step 2 | $161,666 | $6,217.92 | $77.46 | +$31,069 |
| Step 3 | $166,881 | $6,418.50 | $79.96 | +$32,071 |
| Step 4 | $172,097 | $6,619.12 | $82.46 | +$33,074 |
| Step 5 | $177,312 | $6,819.69 | $84.96 | +$34,076 |
| Step 6 | $182,527 | $7,020.27 | $87.46 | +$35,078 |
| Step 7 | $187,742 | $7,220.85 | $89.96 | +$36,080 |
| Step 8 | $192,958 | $7,421.46 | $92.46 | +$37,083 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
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 2026, 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 $6,017 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Atlanta
GS-15 in Atlanta questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Atlanta?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Atlanta earns $156,451 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. 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 2026, it is 23.79%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $30,067 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 $6,017 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.