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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$123,796 GS-15 Step 1 in SEATTLE (2015)
$158,700 GS-15 Step 10 in SEATTLE (2015)
+$22,166 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 pay table for SEATTLE

Each step below already includes the 21.81% 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 $123,796 $4,761.38 $59.32 +$22,166
Step 2 $127,922 $4,920.08 $61.29 +$22,904
Step 3 $132,049 $5,078.81 $63.27 +$23,643
Step 4 $136,176 $5,237.54 $65.25 +$24,382
Step 5 $140,303 $5,396.27 $67.23 +$25,121
Step 6 $144,430 $5,555.00 $69.20 +$25,860
Step 7 $148,557 $5,713.73 $71.18 +$26,599
Step 8 $152,684 $5,872.46 $73.16 +$27,338
Step 9 $156,811 $6,031.19 $75.14 +$28,077
Step 10 $158,700 $6,103.85 $76.04 +$26,578
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SEATTLE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • SEATTLE GS-15 Step 1 $123,796
  • Locality add-on +$22,166
  • Adjustment percent 21.81%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • SEATTLE GS-15 Step 10 $158,700

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 SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 21.81% 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 SEATTLE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $4,761 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,104. 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 SEATTLE page.

Other grades in SEATTLE

GS-15 in SEATTLE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in SEATTLE?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $123,796 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $158,700. This is 21.81% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in SEATTLE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2015, it is 21.81%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,166 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in SEATTLE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $4,761 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.