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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$127,903 GS-15 Step 1 in RALEIGH (2019)
$166,273 GS-15 Step 10 in RALEIGH (2019)
+$21,308 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for RALEIGH

Each step below already includes the 19.99% 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 $127,903 $4,919.35 $61.29 +$21,308
Step 2 $132,167 $5,083.35 $63.33 +$22,019
Step 3 $136,430 $5,247.31 $65.37 +$22,729
Step 4 $140,693 $5,411.27 $67.41 +$23,439
Step 5 $144,956 $5,575.23 $69.46 +$24,149
Step 6 $149,220 $5,739.23 $71.50 +$24,860
Step 7 $153,483 $5,903.19 $73.54 +$25,570
Step 8 $157,746 $6,067.15 $75.59 +$26,280
Step 9 $162,009 $6,231.12 $77.63 +$26,990
Step 10 $166,273 $6,395.12 $79.67 +$27,701
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RALEIGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • RALEIGH GS-15 Step 1 $127,903
  • Locality add-on +$21,308
  • Adjustment percent 19.99%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • RALEIGH GS-15 Step 10 $166,273

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 RALEIGH: 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 RALEIGH pay area adds a 19.99% 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 RALEIGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $4,919 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,395. 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 RALEIGH page.

Other grades in RALEIGH

GS-15 in RALEIGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in RALEIGH?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns $127,903 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,273. This is 19.99% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in RALEIGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For RALEIGH in 2019, it is 19.99%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,308 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in RALEIGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $4,919 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.