2019 GS-15 Pay in SEATTLE
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 26.04% 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 $134,352 in SEATTLE.
2019 GS-15 Pay in SEATTLE
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,352 | $5,167.38 | $64.38 | +$27,757 |
| Step 2 | $138,831 | $5,339.65 | $66.52 | +$28,683 |
| Step 3 | $143,309 | $5,511.88 | $68.67 | +$29,608 |
| Step 4 | $147,787 | $5,684.12 | $70.81 | +$30,533 |
| Step 5 | $152,265 | $5,856.35 | $72.96 | +$31,458 |
| Step 6 | $156,743 | $6,028.58 | $75.10 | +$32,383 |
| Step 7 | $161,222 | $6,200.85 | $77.25 | +$33,309 |
| Step 8 | $165,700 | $6,373.08 | $79.40 | +$34,234 |
| 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 SEATTLE
Each step below already includes the 26.04% 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 | $134,352 | $5,167.38 | $64.38 | +$27,757 |
| Step 2 | $138,831 | $5,339.65 | $66.52 | +$28,683 |
| Step 3 | $143,309 | $5,511.88 | $68.67 | +$29,608 |
| Step 4 | $147,787 | $5,684.12 | $70.81 | +$30,533 |
| Step 5 | $152,265 | $5,856.35 | $72.96 | +$31,458 |
| Step 6 | $156,743 | $6,028.58 | $75.10 | +$32,383 |
| Step 7 | $161,222 | $6,200.85 | $77.25 | +$33,309 |
| Step 8 | $165,700 | $6,373.08 | $79.40 | +$34,234 |
| 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 SEATTLE pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 26.04% 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 SEATTLE
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $5,167 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 SEATTLE page.
Other grades in SEATTLE
GS-15 in SEATTLE questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in SEATTLE?
In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $134,352 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 26.04% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in SEATTLE?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2019, it is 26.04%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $27,757 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in SEATTLE?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $5,167 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.