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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$52,067 GS-8 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2020)
$67,687 GS-8 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2020)
+$10,757 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-8 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 26.04% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $52,067 $2,002.58 $24.95 +$10,757
Step 2 $53,803 $2,069.35 $25.78 +$11,116
Step 3 $55,538 $2,136.08 $26.61 +$11,474
Step 4 $57,274 $2,202.85 $27.44 +$11,833
Step 5 $59,009 $2,269.58 $28.27 +$12,191
Step 6 $60,745 $2,336.35 $29.11 +$12,550
Step 7 $62,481 $2,403.12 $29.94 +$12,909
Step 8 $64,216 $2,469.85 $30.77 +$13,267
Step 9 $65,952 $2,536.62 $31.60 +$13,626
Step 10 $67,687 $2,603.35 $32.43 +$13,984
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $41,310
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-8 Step 1 $52,067
  • Locality add-on +$10,757
  • Adjustment percent 26.04%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $53,703
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-8 Step 10 $67,687

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-8 in PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2020, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 26.04% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,003 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,603. 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-8 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2020, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $52,067 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $67,687. This is 26.04% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2020, it is 26.04%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,757 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,003 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.