2020 GS-15 Pay in PHOENIX
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ earn 20.12% 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 $131,370 in PHOENIX.
2020 GS-15 Pay in PHOENIX
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Phoenix-Mesa, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $131,370 | $5,052.69 | $62.95 | +$22,004 |
| Step 2 | $135,750 | $5,221.15 | $65.05 | +$22,738 |
| Step 3 | $140,130 | $5,389.62 | $67.14 | +$23,472 |
| Step 4 | $144,509 | $5,558.04 | $69.24 | +$24,205 |
| Step 5 | $148,889 | $5,726.50 | $71.34 | +$24,939 |
| Step 6 | $153,268 | $5,894.92 | $73.44 | +$25,672 |
| Step 7 | $157,648 | $6,063.38 | $75.54 | +$26,406 |
| Step 8 | $162,027 | $6,231.81 | $77.64 | +$27,139 |
| Step 9 | $166,407 | $6,400.27 | $79.74 | +$27,873 |
| Step 10 | $170,787 | $6,568.73 | $81.83 | +$28,607 |
2020 GS-15 pay table for PHOENIX
Each step below already includes the 20.12% 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 | $131,370 | $5,052.69 | $62.95 | +$22,004 |
| Step 2 | $135,750 | $5,221.15 | $65.05 | +$22,738 |
| Step 3 | $140,130 | $5,389.62 | $67.14 | +$23,472 |
| Step 4 | $144,509 | $5,558.04 | $69.24 | +$24,205 |
| Step 5 | $148,889 | $5,726.50 | $71.34 | +$24,939 |
| Step 6 | $153,268 | $5,894.92 | $73.44 | +$25,672 |
| Step 7 | $157,648 | $6,063.38 | $75.54 | +$26,406 |
| Step 8 | $162,027 | $6,231.81 | $77.64 | +$27,139 |
| Step 9 | $166,407 | $6,400.27 | $79.74 | +$27,873 |
| Step 10 | $170,787 | $6,568.73 | $81.83 | +$28,607 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more PHOENIX pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 20.12% 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 PHOENIX
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $5,053 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 PHOENIX page.
Other grades in PHOENIX
GS-15 in PHOENIX questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in PHOENIX?
In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $131,370 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,787. This is 20.12% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2020, it is 20.12%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,004 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $5,053 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.