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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$133,093 GS-15 Step 1 in RALEIGH (2021)
$172,500 GS-15 Step 10 in RALEIGH (2021)
+$22,633 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $133,093 $5,118.96 $63.77 +$22,633
Step 2 $137,530 $5,289.62 $65.90 +$23,388
Step 3 $141,966 $5,460.23 $68.02 +$24,142
Step 4 $146,403 $5,630.88 $70.15 +$24,897
Step 5 $150,839 $5,801.50 $72.28 +$25,651
Step 6 $155,275 $5,972.12 $74.40 +$26,405
Step 7 $159,712 $6,142.77 $76.53 +$27,160
Step 8 $164,148 $6,313.38 $78.65 +$27,914
Step 9 $168,585 $6,484.04 $80.78 +$28,669
Step 10 $172,500 $6,634.62 $82.65 +$28,902
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more RALEIGH pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • RALEIGH GS-15 Step 1 $133,093
  • Locality add-on +$22,633
  • Adjustment percent 20.49%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • RALEIGH GS-15 Step 10 $172,500

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 2021, 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 $5,119 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 RALEIGH page.

Other grades in RALEIGH

GS-15 in RALEIGH questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in RALEIGH?
    In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in RALEIGH earns $133,093 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. 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 2021, it is 20.49%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,633 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 $5,119 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.