An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$138,206 GS-15 Step 1 in SACRAMENTO (2020)
$170,800 GS-15 Step 10 in SACRAMENTO (2020)
+$28,840 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for SACRAMENTO

Each step below already includes the 26.37% 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 $138,206 $5,315.62 $66.22 +$28,840
Step 2 $142,813 $5,492.81 $68.43 +$29,801
Step 3 $147,421 $5,670.04 $70.64 +$30,763
Step 4 $152,028 $5,847.23 $72.85 +$31,724
Step 5 $156,636 $6,024.46 $75.05 +$32,686
Step 6 $161,243 $6,201.65 $77.26 +$33,647
Step 7 $165,851 $6,378.88 $79.47 +$34,609
Step 8 $170,458 $6,556.08 $81.68 +$35,570
Step 9 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$32,266
Step 10 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$28,620
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SACRAMENTO pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • SACRAMENTO GS-15 Step 1 $138,206
  • Locality add-on +$28,840
  • Adjustment percent 26.37%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • SACRAMENTO 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 SACRAMENTO: 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 SACRAMENTO pay area adds a 26.37% 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 SACRAMENTO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns roughly $5,316 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 SACRAMENTO page.

Other grades in SACRAMENTO

GS-15 in SACRAMENTO questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in SACRAMENTO?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns $138,206 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 26.37% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in SACRAMENTO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SACRAMENTO in 2020, it is 26.37%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,840 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in SACRAMENTO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns roughly $5,316 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.