2026 GS-15 Pay in Austin
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX earn 20.35% 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 $152,103 in Austin.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Austin
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $152,103 | $5,850.12 | $72.88 | +$25,719 |
| Step 2 | $157,173 | $6,045.12 | $75.31 | +$26,576 |
| Step 3 | $162,244 | $6,240.15 | $77.74 | +$27,434 |
| Step 4 | $167,314 | $6,435.15 | $80.17 | +$28,291 |
| Step 5 | $172,385 | $6,630.19 | $82.60 | +$29,149 |
| Step 6 | $177,455 | $6,825.19 | $85.03 | +$30,006 |
| Step 7 | $182,525 | $7,020.19 | $87.46 | +$30,863 |
| Step 8 | $187,596 | $7,215.23 | $89.89 | +$31,721 |
| Step 9 | $192,666 | $7,410.23 | $92.32 | +$32,578 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Austin
Each step below already includes the 20.35% 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 | $152,103 | $5,850.12 | $72.88 | +$25,719 |
| Step 2 | $157,173 | $6,045.12 | $75.31 | +$26,576 |
| Step 3 | $162,244 | $6,240.15 | $77.74 | +$27,434 |
| Step 4 | $167,314 | $6,435.15 | $80.17 | +$28,291 |
| Step 5 | $172,385 | $6,630.19 | $82.60 | +$29,149 |
| Step 6 | $177,455 | $6,825.19 | $85.03 | +$30,006 |
| Step 7 | $182,525 | $7,020.19 | $87.46 | +$30,863 |
| Step 8 | $187,596 | $7,215.23 | $89.89 | +$31,721 |
| Step 9 | $192,666 | $7,410.23 | $92.32 | +$32,578 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Austin pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Austin: 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 Austin pay area adds a 20.35% 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 Austin
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $5,850 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 Austin
GS-15 in Austin questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Austin?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns $152,103 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 20.35% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Austin?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Austin in 2026, it is 20.35%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,719 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Austin?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Austin earns roughly $5,850 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.