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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,419 GS-15 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2017)
$161,900 GS-15 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2017)
+$24,747 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-15 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 23.87% 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 $128,419 $4,939.19 $61.53 +$24,747
Step 2 $132,699 $5,103.81 $63.58 +$25,571
Step 3 $136,980 $5,268.46 $65.63 +$26,396
Step 4 $141,261 $5,433.12 $67.69 +$27,221
Step 5 $145,542 $5,597.77 $69.74 +$28,046
Step 6 $149,823 $5,762.42 $71.79 +$28,871
Step 7 $154,104 $5,927.08 $73.84 +$29,696
Step 8 $158,385 $6,091.73 $75.89 +$30,521
Step 9 $161,900 $6,226.92 $77.58 +$30,580
Step 10 $161,900 $6,226.92 $77.58 +$27,124
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $103,672
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-15 Step 1 $128,419
  • Locality add-on +$24,747
  • Adjustment percent 23.87%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $134,776
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-15 Step 10 $161,900

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 PHILADELPHIA: 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 2017, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 23.87% 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 PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $4,939 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,227. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-15 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $128,419 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,900. This is 23.87% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2017, it is 23.87%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,747 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $4,939 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.