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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$119,907 GS-15 Step 1 in TUCSON (2017)
$155,882 GS-15 Step 10 in TUCSON (2017)
+$16,235 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-15 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 15.66% 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 $119,907 $4,611.81 $57.45 +$16,235
Step 2 $123,904 $4,765.54 $59.37 +$16,776
Step 3 $127,901 $4,919.27 $61.28 +$17,317
Step 4 $131,899 $5,073.04 $63.20 +$17,859
Step 5 $135,896 $5,226.77 $65.12 +$18,400
Step 6 $139,893 $5,380.50 $67.03 +$18,941
Step 7 $143,890 $5,534.23 $68.95 +$19,482
Step 8 $147,888 $5,688.00 $70.86 +$20,024
Step 9 $151,885 $5,841.73 $72.78 +$20,565
Step 10 $155,882 $5,995.46 $74.69 +$21,106
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $103,672
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 1 $119,907
  • Locality add-on +$16,235
  • Adjustment percent 15.66%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $134,776
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 10 $155,882

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 2017, the TUCSON pay area adds a 15.66% 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 $4,612 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,995. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-15 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in TUCSON?
    In 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $119,907 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $155,882. This is 15.66% 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 2017, it is 15.66%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,235 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 $4,612 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.