2021 GS-15 Pay in PHOENIX
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ earn 20.12% 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 $132,685 in PHOENIX.
2021 GS-15 Pay in PHOENIX
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Phoenix-Mesa, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $132,685 | $5,103.27 | $63.58 | +$22,225 |
| Step 2 | $137,107 | $5,273.35 | $65.70 | +$22,965 |
| Step 3 | $141,530 | $5,443.46 | $67.82 | +$23,706 |
| Step 4 | $145,953 | $5,613.58 | $69.93 | +$24,447 |
| Step 5 | $150,376 | $5,783.69 | $72.05 | +$25,188 |
| Step 6 | $154,799 | $5,953.81 | $74.17 | +$25,929 |
| Step 7 | $159,221 | $6,123.88 | $76.29 | +$26,669 |
| Step 8 | $163,644 | $6,294.00 | $78.41 | +$27,410 |
| Step 9 | $168,067 | $6,464.12 | $80.53 | +$28,151 |
| Step 10 | $172,490 | $6,634.23 | $82.65 | +$28,892 |
2021 GS-15 pay table for PHOENIX
Each step below already includes the 20.12% 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 | $132,685 | $5,103.27 | $63.58 | +$22,225 |
| Step 2 | $137,107 | $5,273.35 | $65.70 | +$22,965 |
| Step 3 | $141,530 | $5,443.46 | $67.82 | +$23,706 |
| Step 4 | $145,953 | $5,613.58 | $69.93 | +$24,447 |
| Step 5 | $150,376 | $5,783.69 | $72.05 | +$25,188 |
| Step 6 | $154,799 | $5,953.81 | $74.17 | +$25,929 |
| Step 7 | $159,221 | $6,123.88 | $76.29 | +$26,669 |
| Step 8 | $163,644 | $6,294.00 | $78.41 | +$27,410 |
| Step 9 | $168,067 | $6,464.12 | $80.53 | +$28,151 |
| Step 10 | $172,490 | $6,634.23 | $82.65 | +$28,892 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more PHOENIX pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in PHOENIX: 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 PHOENIX pay area adds a 20.12% 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 PHOENIX
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $5,103 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,634. 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 PHOENIX page.
Other grades in PHOENIX
GS-15 in PHOENIX questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in PHOENIX?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns $132,685 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,490. This is 20.12% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHOENIX in 2021, it is 20.12%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,225 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in PHOENIX?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in PHOENIX earns roughly $5,103 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.