GS Pay Calculator Birmingham, AL 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL locality area. Covers Birmingham, Hoover, Talladega, and surrounding Alabama communities.
Birmingham, AL Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$102,067
$3,926/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$121,371
$4,668/biweekly
Locality Rate
+17.78%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$193,514
$7,443/biweekly
Birmingham, AL Locality Pay in Context
The Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL locality rate of 17.78% ranks #44 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is among the lowest locality rates. The tradeoff is that Birmingham, AL generally has a lower cost of living than higher-paying areas. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers Birmingham, Hoover, Talladega, and surrounding Alabama communities.
Major federal employers in Birmingham, AL include VA, SSA, IRS, FBI, USPS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Birmingham, AL but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Birmingham, AL GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Birmingham, AL locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $40,986 | $42,353 | $43,719 | $45,085 | $46,451 | $47,818 | $49,184 | $50,550 | $51,916 | $53,282 |
| GS-7 | $50,770 | $52,463 | $54,155 | $55,848 | $57,540 | $59,233 | $60,925 | $62,618 | $64,310 | $66,003 |
| GS-9 | $62,102 | $64,172 | $66,243 | $68,314 | $70,384 | $72,455 | $74,525 | $76,596 | $78,666 | $80,737 |
| GS-11 | $75,138 | $77,643 | $80,148 | $82,653 | $85,158 | $87,664 | $90,169 | $92,674 | $95,179 | $97,684 |
| GS-12 | $90,058 | $93,060 | $96,063 | $99,065 | $102,067 | $105,069 | $108,071 | $111,074 | $114,076 | $117,078 |
| GS-13 | $107,091 | $110,661 | $114,231 | $117,801 | $121,371 | $124,941 | $128,511 | $132,081 | $135,651 | $139,221 |
| GS-14 | $126,550 | $130,769 | $134,988 | $139,207 | $143,425 | $147,644 | $151,863 | $156,082 | $160,301 | $164,520 |
| GS-15 | $148,855 | $153,817 | $158,779 | $163,741 | $168,703 | $173,665 | $178,628 | $183,590 | $188,552 | $193,514 |
Calculate Your Exact Birmingham, AL Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, ALBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+17.78%)
$26,216
Total Annual
$173,665
Biweekly
$6,679
Hourly: $83.21
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 49 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
How Birmingham, AL Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Birmingham, AL +17.78% | Huntsville, AL +20.22% | Atlanta, GA +21.30% | Nashville, TN +19.62% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $90,058 | $91,924 +$1,866 | $92,750 +$2,692 | $91,465 +$1,407 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $102,067 | $104,181 +$2,114 | $105,117 +$3,050 | $103,661 +$1,594 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $121,371 | $123,886 +$2,515 | $124,998 +$3,627 | $123,267 +$1,896 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $193,514 | $197,200* +$3,686 | $197,200* +$3,686 | $196,537 +$3,023 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Birmingham, AL.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Atlanta, GA earn $3,050 more per year than those in Birmingham, AL, while those in Nashville, TN earn $1,594 more.
Career Salary Growth in Birmingham, AL
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Birmingham, AL locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Birmingham, AL Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $50,770 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $62,102 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $75,138 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $96,063 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $121,371 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $164,520 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Complete GS Pay Guide 2026
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Birmingham, AL
How much does a GS-12 make in Birmingham, AL in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL locality area earns between $90,058 (Step 1) and $117,078 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 17.78% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Birmingham, AL?
The Birmingham, AL locality pay adjustment is 17.78% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1778 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $102,067.
How does Birmingham, AL federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Birmingham, AL has a 17.78% locality rate. Nearby areas include Huntsville, AL (20.22%), Atlanta, GA (21.30%), Nashville, TN (19.62%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Birmingham, AL?
GS salaries in Birmingham, AL are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 17.78% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $193,514, which is below the cap.
Which federal agencies have offices in Birmingham, AL?
Major federal employers in the Birmingham, AL area include VA, SSA, IRS, FBI, USPS. Covers Birmingham, Hoover, Talladega, and surrounding Alabama communities.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Birmingham, AL area at 17.78% reflects the local cost of labor.