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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$130,583 GS-15 Step 1 in PITTSBURGH (2020)
$169,763 GS-15 Step 10 in PITTSBURGH (2020)
+$21,217 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for PITTSBURGH

Each step below already includes the 19.40% 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 $130,583 $5,022.42 $62.57 +$21,217
Step 2 $134,936 $5,189.85 $64.66 +$21,924
Step 3 $139,290 $5,357.31 $66.74 +$22,632
Step 4 $143,643 $5,524.73 $68.83 +$23,339
Step 5 $147,996 $5,692.15 $70.91 +$24,046
Step 6 $152,350 $5,859.62 $73.00 +$24,754
Step 7 $156,703 $6,027.04 $75.09 +$25,461
Step 8 $161,056 $6,194.46 $77.17 +$26,168
Step 9 $165,410 $6,361.92 $79.26 +$26,876
Step 10 $169,763 $6,529.35 $81.34 +$27,583
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PITTSBURGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 1 $130,583
  • Locality add-on +$21,217
  • Adjustment percent 19.40%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • PITTSBURGH GS-15 Step 10 $169,763

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 PITTSBURGH: 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 PITTSBURGH pay area adds a 19.40% 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 PITTSBURGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns roughly $5,022 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,529. 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 PITTSBURGH page.

Other grades in PITTSBURGH

GS-15 in PITTSBURGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in PITTSBURGH?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns $130,583 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $169,763. This is 19.40% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PITTSBURGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PITTSBURGH in 2020, it is 19.40%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,217 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PITTSBURGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PITTSBURGH earns roughly $5,022 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.