2020 GS-15 Pay in LOS ANGELES
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA earn 32.41% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $109,366 on the base table to $144,812 in LOS ANGELES.
2020 GS-15 Pay in LOS ANGELES
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $144,812 | $5,569.69 | $69.39 | +$35,446 |
| Step 2 | $149,639 | $5,755.35 | $71.70 | +$36,627 |
| Step 3 | $154,467 | $5,941.04 | $74.01 | +$37,809 |
| Step 4 | $159,295 | $6,126.73 | $76.33 | +$38,991 |
| Step 5 | $164,122 | $6,312.38 | $78.64 | +$40,172 |
| Step 6 | $168,950 | $6,498.08 | $80.95 | +$41,354 |
| Step 7 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$39,558 |
| Step 8 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$35,912 |
| Step 9 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$32,266 |
| Step 10 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$28,620 |
2020 GS-15 pay table for LOS ANGELES
Each step below already includes the 32.41% 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 | $144,812 | $5,569.69 | $69.39 | +$35,446 |
| Step 2 | $149,639 | $5,755.35 | $71.70 | +$36,627 |
| Step 3 | $154,467 | $5,941.04 | $74.01 | +$37,809 |
| Step 4 | $159,295 | $6,126.73 | $76.33 | +$38,991 |
| Step 5 | $164,122 | $6,312.38 | $78.64 | +$40,172 |
| Step 6 | $168,950 | $6,498.08 | $80.95 | +$41,354 |
| Step 7 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$39,558 |
| Step 8 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$35,912 |
| Step 9 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$32,266 |
| Step 10 | $170,800 | $6,569.23 | $81.84 | +$28,620 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more LOS ANGELES pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in LOS ANGELES: 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 2020, the LOS ANGELES pay area adds a 32.41% 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 LOS ANGELES
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $5,570 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,569. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 LOS ANGELES page.
Other grades in LOS ANGELES
GS-15 in LOS ANGELES questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in LOS ANGELES?
In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns $144,812 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 32.41% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in LOS ANGELES?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For LOS ANGELES in 2020, it is 32.41%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $35,446 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in LOS ANGELES?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in LOS ANGELES earns roughly $5,570 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.