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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$124,413 GS-15 Step 1 in PITTSBURGH (2018)
$161,736 GS-15 Step 10 in PITTSBURGH (2018)
+$19,290 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 pay table for PITTSBURGH

Each step below already includes the 18.35% 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 $124,413 $4,785.12 $59.61 +$19,290
Step 2 $128,560 $4,944.62 $61.60 +$19,933
Step 3 $132,707 $5,104.12 $63.59 +$20,576
Step 4 $136,854 $5,263.62 $65.57 +$21,219
Step 5 $141,001 $5,423.12 $67.56 +$21,862
Step 6 $145,148 $5,582.62 $69.55 +$22,505
Step 7 $149,295 $5,742.12 $71.54 +$23,148
Step 8 $153,442 $5,901.62 $73.52 +$23,791
Step 9 $157,589 $6,061.12 $75.51 +$24,434
Step 10 $161,736 $6,220.62 $77.50 +$25,077
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PITTSBURGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 1 $124,413
  • Locality add-on +$19,290
  • Adjustment percent 18.35%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 10 $161,736

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 PITTSBURGH: 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 PITTSBURGH pay area adds a 18.35% 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 PITTSBURGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns roughly $4,785 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,221. 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 PITTSBURGH page.

Other grades in PITTSBURGH

GS-15 in PITTSBURGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PITTSBURGH?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns $124,413 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,736. This is 18.35% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PITTSBURGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PITTSBURGH in 2018, it is 18.35%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,290 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PITTSBURGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns roughly $4,785 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.