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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$120,219 GS-15 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2016)
$156,290 GS-15 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2016)
+$17,573 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-15 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 17.12% 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 $120,219 $4,623.81 $57.60 +$17,573
Step 2 $124,227 $4,777.96 $59.52 +$18,159
Step 3 $128,235 $4,932.12 $61.44 +$18,745
Step 4 $132,243 $5,086.27 $63.37 +$19,331
Step 5 $136,250 $5,240.38 $65.29 +$19,916
Step 6 $140,258 $5,394.54 $67.21 +$20,502
Step 7 $144,266 $5,548.69 $69.13 +$21,088
Step 8 $148,274 $5,702.85 $71.05 +$21,674
Step 9 $152,282 $5,857.00 $72.97 +$22,260
Step 10 $156,290 $6,011.15 $74.89 +$22,846
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $102,646
  • PHOENIX GS-15 Step 1 $120,219
  • Locality add-on +$17,573
  • Adjustment percent 17.12%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $133,444
  • PHOENIX GS-15 Step 10 $156,290

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 2016, the PHOENIX pay area adds a 17.12% 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 $4,624 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,011. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $120,219 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $156,290. This is 17.12% 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 2016, it is 17.12%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,573 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 $4,624 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.