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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$118,663 GS-15 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2015)
$154,266 GS-15 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2015)
+$17,033 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 16.76% 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 $118,663 $4,563.96 $56.86 +$17,033
Step 2 $122,619 $4,716.12 $58.75 +$17,601
Step 3 $126,575 $4,868.27 $60.65 +$18,169
Step 4 $130,531 $5,020.42 $62.54 +$18,737
Step 5 $134,487 $5,172.58 $64.44 +$19,305
Step 6 $138,442 $5,324.69 $66.34 +$19,872
Step 7 $142,398 $5,476.85 $68.23 +$20,440
Step 8 $146,354 $5,629.00 $70.13 +$21,008
Step 9 $150,310 $5,781.15 $72.02 +$21,576
Step 10 $154,266 $5,933.31 $73.92 +$22,144
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • PHOENIX GS-15 Step 1 $118,663
  • Locality add-on +$17,033
  • Adjustment percent 16.76%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • PHOENIX GS-15 Step 10 $154,266

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-15 in PHOENIX: 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 2015, the PHOENIX pay area adds a 16.76% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $4,564 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,933. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-15 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $118,663 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $154,266. This is 16.76% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2015, it is 16.76%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,033 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $4,564 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.