2018 GS-15 Pay in LOS ANGELES
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA earn 30.57% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $105,123 on the base table to $137,259 in LOS ANGELES.
2018 GS-15 Pay in LOS ANGELES
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $137,259 | $5,279.19 | $65.77 | +$32,136 |
| Step 2 | $141,834 | $5,455.15 | $67.96 | +$33,207 |
| Step 3 | $146,409 | $5,631.12 | $70.15 | +$34,278 |
| Step 4 | $150,985 | $5,807.12 | $72.35 | +$35,350 |
| Step 5 | $155,560 | $5,983.08 | $74.54 | +$36,421 |
| Step 6 | $160,135 | $6,159.04 | $76.73 | +$37,492 |
| Step 7 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$38,053 |
| Step 8 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$34,549 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
2018 GS-15 pay table for LOS ANGELES
Each step below already includes the 30.57% 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 | $137,259 | $5,279.19 | $65.77 | +$32,136 |
| Step 2 | $141,834 | $5,455.15 | $67.96 | +$33,207 |
| Step 3 | $146,409 | $5,631.12 | $70.15 | +$34,278 |
| Step 4 | $150,985 | $5,807.12 | $72.35 | +$35,350 |
| Step 5 | $155,560 | $5,983.08 | $74.54 | +$36,421 |
| Step 6 | $160,135 | $6,159.04 | $76.73 | +$37,492 |
| Step 7 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$38,053 |
| Step 8 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$34,549 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more LOS ANGELES pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in LOS ANGELES: 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 2018, the LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 30.57% 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 LOS ANGELES
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $5,279 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,315. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 LOS ANGELES page.
Other grades in LOS ANGELES
GS-15 in LOS ANGELES questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in LOS ANGELES?
In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $137,259 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,200. This is 30.57% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in LOS ANGELES?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For LOS ANGELES in 2018, it is 30.57%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $32,136 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in LOS ANGELES?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $5,279 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.