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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$131,775 GS-15 Step 1 in RALEIGH (2020)
$170,800 GS-15 Step 10 in RALEIGH (2020)
+$22,409 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for RALEIGH

Each step below already includes the 20.49% 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 $131,775 $5,068.27 $63.14 +$22,409
Step 2 $136,168 $5,237.23 $65.25 +$23,156
Step 3 $140,561 $5,406.19 $67.35 +$23,903
Step 4 $144,954 $5,575.15 $69.46 +$24,650
Step 5 $149,347 $5,744.12 $71.56 +$25,397
Step 6 $153,740 $5,913.08 $73.67 +$26,144
Step 7 $158,133 $6,082.04 $75.77 +$26,891
Step 8 $162,527 $6,251.04 $77.88 +$27,639
Step 9 $166,920 $6,420.00 $79.98 +$28,386
Step 10 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$28,620
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RALEIGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • RALEIGH GS-15 Step 1 $131,775
  • Locality add-on +$22,409
  • Adjustment percent 20.49%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • RALEIGH GS-15 Step 10 $170,800

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 RALEIGH: 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 RALEIGH pay area adds a 20.49% 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 RALEIGH

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $5,068 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 RALEIGH page.

Other grades in RALEIGH

GS-15 in RALEIGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in RALEIGH?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns $131,775 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 20.49% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in RALEIGH?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For RALEIGH in 2020, it is 20.49%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,409 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in RALEIGH?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns roughly $5,068 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.