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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$117,540 GS-15 Step 1 in TUCSON (2016)
$152,807 GS-15 Step 10 in TUCSON (2016)
+$14,894 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-15 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 14.51% 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 $117,540 $4,520.77 $56.32 +$14,894
Step 2 $121,458 $4,671.46 $58.20 +$15,390
Step 3 $125,377 $4,822.19 $60.08 +$15,887
Step 4 $129,296 $4,972.92 $61.95 +$16,384
Step 5 $133,214 $5,123.62 $63.83 +$16,880
Step 6 $137,133 $5,274.35 $65.71 +$17,377
Step 7 $141,051 $5,425.04 $67.59 +$17,873
Step 8 $144,970 $5,575.77 $69.46 +$18,370
Step 9 $148,888 $5,726.46 $71.34 +$18,866
Step 10 $152,807 $5,877.19 $73.22 +$19,363
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $102,646
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 1 $117,540
  • Locality add-on +$14,894
  • Adjustment percent 14.51%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $133,444
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 10 $152,807

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 14.51% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $4,521 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,877. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-15 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in TUCSON?
    In 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $117,540 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $152,807. This is 14.51% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2016, it is 14.51%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,894 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $4,521 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.