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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$130,973 GS-15 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2018)
$164,200 GS-15 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2018)
+$25,850 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 24.59% 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 $130,973 $5,037.42 $62.76 +$25,850
Step 2 $135,338 $5,205.31 $64.85 +$26,711
Step 3 $139,704 $5,373.23 $66.94 +$27,573
Step 4 $144,070 $5,541.15 $69.03 +$28,435
Step 5 $148,435 $5,709.04 $71.12 +$29,296
Step 6 $152,801 $5,876.96 $73.22 +$30,158
Step 7 $157,167 $6,044.88 $75.31 +$31,020
Step 8 $161,532 $6,212.77 $77.40 +$31,881
Step 9 $164,200 $6,315.38 $78.68 +$31,045
Step 10 $164,200 $6,315.38 $78.68 +$27,541
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-15 Step 1 $130,973
  • Locality add-on +$25,850
  • Adjustment percent 24.59%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-15 Step 10 $164,200

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 2018, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 24.59% 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 $5,037 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 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-15 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $130,973 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,200. This is 24.59% 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 2018, it is 24.59%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,850 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 $5,037 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.