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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$124,375 GS-15 Step 1 in TUCSON (2019)
$161,686 GS-15 Step 10 in TUCSON (2019)
+$17,780 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 16.68% 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 $124,375 $4,783.65 $59.60 +$17,780
Step 2 $128,521 $4,943.12 $61.58 +$18,373
Step 3 $132,666 $5,102.54 $63.57 +$18,965
Step 4 $136,812 $5,262.00 $65.55 +$19,558
Step 5 $140,958 $5,421.46 $67.54 +$20,151
Step 6 $145,103 $5,580.88 $69.53 +$20,743
Step 7 $149,249 $5,740.35 $71.51 +$21,336
Step 8 $153,395 $5,899.81 $73.50 +$21,929
Step 9 $157,540 $6,059.23 $75.49 +$22,521
Step 10 $161,686 $6,218.69 $77.47 +$23,114
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 1 $124,375
  • Locality add-on +$17,780
  • Adjustment percent 16.68%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 10 $161,686

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 16.68% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $4,784 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,219. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-15 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in TUCSON?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $124,375 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,686. This is 16.68% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2019, it is 16.68%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,780 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $4,784 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.