2019 GS-15 Pay in LOS ANGELES
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA earn 31.47% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $106,595 on the base table to $140,140 in LOS ANGELES.
2019 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 | $140,140 | $5,390.00 | $67.15 | +$33,545 |
| Step 2 | $144,812 | $5,569.69 | $69.39 | +$34,664 |
| Step 3 | $149,483 | $5,749.35 | $71.63 | +$35,782 |
| Step 4 | $154,154 | $5,929.00 | $73.86 | +$36,900 |
| Step 5 | $158,825 | $6,108.65 | $76.10 | +$38,018 |
| Step 6 | $163,496 | $6,288.31 | $78.34 | +$39,136 |
| Step 7 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$38,587 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
2019 GS-15 pay table for LOS ANGELES
Each step below already includes the 31.47% 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 | $140,140 | $5,390.00 | $67.15 | +$33,545 |
| Step 2 | $144,812 | $5,569.69 | $69.39 | +$34,664 |
| Step 3 | $149,483 | $5,749.35 | $71.63 | +$35,782 |
| Step 4 | $154,154 | $5,929.00 | $73.86 | +$36,900 |
| Step 5 | $158,825 | $6,108.65 | $76.10 | +$38,018 |
| Step 6 | $163,496 | $6,288.31 | $78.34 | +$39,136 |
| Step 7 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$38,587 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
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 2019, the LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 31.47% 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 $5,390 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $140,140 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 31.47% 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 2019, it is 31.47%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $33,545 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 $5,390 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.