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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$126,699 GS-15 Step 1 in PITTSBURGH (2019)
$164,707 GS-15 Step 10 in PITTSBURGH (2019)
+$20,104 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for PITTSBURGH

Each step below already includes the 18.86% 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 $126,699 $4,873.04 $60.71 +$20,104
Step 2 $130,922 $5,035.46 $62.73 +$20,774
Step 3 $135,145 $5,197.88 $64.76 +$21,444
Step 4 $139,368 $5,360.31 $66.78 +$22,114
Step 5 $143,591 $5,522.73 $68.80 +$22,784
Step 6 $147,814 $5,685.15 $70.83 +$23,454
Step 7 $152,037 $5,847.58 $72.85 +$24,124
Step 8 $156,260 $6,010.00 $74.87 +$24,794
Step 9 $160,484 $6,172.46 $76.90 +$25,465
Step 10 $164,707 $6,334.88 $78.92 +$26,135
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PITTSBURGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 1 $126,699
  • Locality add-on +$20,104
  • Adjustment percent 18.86%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 10 $164,707

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 2019, the PITTSBURGH pay area adds a 18.86% 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 $4,873 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,335. 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 PITTSBURGH page.

Other grades in PITTSBURGH

GS-15 in PITTSBURGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PITTSBURGH?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns $126,699 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,707. This is 18.86% 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 2019, it is 18.86%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,104 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 $4,873 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.