2026 GS-15 Pay in Birmingham
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL earn 18.24% 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 $149,436 in Birmingham.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Birmingham
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $149,436 | $5,747.54 | $71.60 | +$23,052 |
| Step 2 | $154,418 | $5,939.15 | $73.99 | +$23,821 |
| Step 3 | $159,399 | $6,130.73 | $76.38 | +$24,589 |
| Step 4 | $164,381 | $6,322.35 | $78.76 | +$25,358 |
| Step 5 | $169,362 | $6,513.92 | $81.15 | +$26,126 |
| Step 6 | $174,344 | $6,705.54 | $83.54 | +$26,895 |
| Step 7 | $179,325 | $6,897.12 | $85.92 | +$27,663 |
| Step 8 | $184,307 | $7,088.73 | $88.31 | +$28,432 |
| Step 9 | $189,288 | $7,280.31 | $90.70 | +$29,200 |
| Step 10 | $194,270 | $7,471.92 | $93.09 | +$29,969 |
2026 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 | $149,436 | $5,747.54 | $71.60 | +$23,052 |
| Step 2 | $154,418 | $5,939.15 | $73.99 | +$23,821 |
| Step 3 | $159,399 | $6,130.73 | $76.38 | +$24,589 |
| Step 4 | $164,381 | $6,322.35 | $78.76 | +$25,358 |
| Step 5 | $169,362 | $6,513.92 | $81.15 | +$26,126 |
| Step 6 | $174,344 | $6,705.54 | $83.54 | +$26,895 |
| Step 7 | $179,325 | $6,897.12 | $85.92 | +$27,663 |
| Step 8 | $184,307 | $7,088.73 | $88.31 | +$28,432 |
| Step 9 | $189,288 | $7,280.31 | $90.70 | +$29,200 |
| Step 10 | $194,270 | $7,471.92 | $93.09 | +$29,969 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Birmingham pays
Step-increase waiting periods
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 2026, 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 $5,748 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,472. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Birmingham
GS-15 in Birmingham questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Birmingham?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Birmingham earns $149,436 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $194,270. 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 2026, it is 18.24%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,052 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 $5,748 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.