An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$119,767 GS-15 Step 1 in PITTSBURGH (2016)
$155,702 GS-15 Step 10 in PITTSBURGH (2016)
+$17,121 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-15 pay table for PITTSBURGH

Each step below already includes the 16.68% 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 $119,767 $4,606.42 $57.39 +$17,121
Step 2 $123,760 $4,760.00 $59.30 +$17,692
Step 3 $127,753 $4,913.58 $61.21 +$18,263
Step 4 $131,746 $5,067.15 $63.13 +$18,834
Step 5 $135,739 $5,220.73 $65.04 +$19,405
Step 6 $139,731 $5,374.27 $66.95 +$19,975
Step 7 $143,724 $5,527.85 $68.87 +$20,546
Step 8 $147,717 $5,681.42 $70.78 +$21,117
Step 9 $151,710 $5,835.00 $72.69 +$21,688
Step 10 $155,702 $5,988.54 $74.61 +$22,258
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PITTSBURGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $102,646
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 1 $119,767
  • Locality add-on +$17,121
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $133,444
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 10 $155,702

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 PITTSBURGH: 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 PITTSBURGH pay area adds a 16.68% 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 PITTSBURGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns roughly $4,606 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,989. 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 PITTSBURGH page.

Other grades in PITTSBURGH

GS-15 in PITTSBURGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PITTSBURGH?
    In 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns $119,767 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $155,702. This is 16.68% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PITTSBURGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PITTSBURGH in 2016, it is 16.68%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,121 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PITTSBURGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns roughly $4,606 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.