2021 GS-15 Pay in HOUSTON
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Houston-The Woodlands, TX earn 33.32% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $110,460 on the base table to $147,265 in HOUSTON.
2021 GS-15 Pay in HOUSTON
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Houston-The Woodlands, TX.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $147,265 | $5,664.04 | $70.56 | +$36,805 |
| Step 2 | $152,174 | $5,852.85 | $72.92 | +$38,032 |
| Step 3 | $157,083 | $6,041.65 | $75.27 | +$39,259 |
| Step 4 | $161,992 | $6,230.46 | $77.62 | +$40,486 |
| Step 5 | $166,901 | $6,419.27 | $79.97 | +$41,713 |
| Step 6 | $171,809 | $6,608.04 | $82.32 | +$42,939 |
| Step 7 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$39,948 |
| Step 8 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$36,266 |
| Step 9 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$32,584 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
2021 GS-15 pay table for HOUSTON
Each step below already includes the 33.32% 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 | $147,265 | $5,664.04 | $70.56 | +$36,805 |
| Step 2 | $152,174 | $5,852.85 | $72.92 | +$38,032 |
| Step 3 | $157,083 | $6,041.65 | $75.27 | +$39,259 |
| Step 4 | $161,992 | $6,230.46 | $77.62 | +$40,486 |
| Step 5 | $166,901 | $6,419.27 | $79.97 | +$41,713 |
| Step 6 | $171,809 | $6,608.04 | $82.32 | +$42,939 |
| Step 7 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$39,948 |
| Step 8 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$36,266 |
| Step 9 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$32,584 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more HOUSTON pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in HOUSTON: 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 2021, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 33.32% 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 HOUSTON
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $5,664 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,635. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 HOUSTON page.
Other grades in HOUSTON
GS-15 in HOUSTON questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in HOUSTON?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $147,265 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. This is 33.32% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in HOUSTON?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2021, it is 33.32%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $36,805 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in HOUSTON?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $5,664 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.