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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$127,488 GS-15 Step 1 in PHOENIX (2019)
$165,732 GS-15 Step 10 in PHOENIX (2019)
+$20,893 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for PHOENIX

Each step below already includes the 19.60% 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 $127,488 $4,903.38 $61.09 +$20,893
Step 2 $131,737 $5,066.81 $63.12 +$21,589
Step 3 $135,986 $5,230.23 $65.16 +$22,285
Step 4 $140,236 $5,393.69 $67.20 +$22,982
Step 5 $144,485 $5,557.12 $69.23 +$23,678
Step 6 $148,735 $5,720.58 $71.27 +$24,375
Step 7 $152,984 $5,884.00 $73.30 +$25,071
Step 8 $157,233 $6,047.42 $75.34 +$25,767
Step 9 $161,483 $6,210.88 $77.38 +$26,464
Step 10 $165,732 $6,374.31 $79.41 +$27,160
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHOENIX pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • PHOENIX GS-15 Step 1 $127,488
  • Locality add-on +$20,893
  • Adjustment percent 19.60%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • PHOENIX GS-15 Step 10 $165,732

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 PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 19.60% 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 PHOENIX

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $4,903 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,374. 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 PHOENIX page.

Other grades in PHOENIX

GS-15 in PHOENIX questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PHOENIX?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $127,488 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $165,732. This is 19.60% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2019, it is 19.60%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,893 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $4,903 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.