2021 GS-15 Pay in SEATTLE
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 27.02% 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 $140,306 in SEATTLE.
2021 GS-15 Pay in SEATTLE
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $140,306 | $5,396.38 | $67.23 | +$29,846 |
| Step 2 | $144,983 | $5,576.27 | $69.47 | +$30,841 |
| Step 3 | $149,660 | $5,756.15 | $71.71 | +$31,836 |
| Step 4 | $154,337 | $5,936.04 | $73.95 | +$32,831 |
| Step 5 | $159,014 | $6,115.92 | $76.19 | +$33,826 |
| Step 6 | $163,691 | $6,295.81 | $78.43 | +$34,821 |
| Step 7 | $168,368 | $6,475.69 | $80.67 | +$35,816 |
| 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 SEATTLE
Each step below already includes the 27.02% 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 | $140,306 | $5,396.38 | $67.23 | +$29,846 |
| Step 2 | $144,983 | $5,576.27 | $69.47 | +$30,841 |
| Step 3 | $149,660 | $5,756.15 | $71.71 | +$31,836 |
| Step 4 | $154,337 | $5,936.04 | $73.95 | +$32,831 |
| Step 5 | $159,014 | $6,115.92 | $76.19 | +$33,826 |
| Step 6 | $163,691 | $6,295.81 | $78.43 | +$34,821 |
| Step 7 | $168,368 | $6,475.69 | $80.67 | +$35,816 |
| 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 SEATTLE pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in SEATTLE: 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 SEATTLE pay area adds a 27.02% 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 SEATTLE
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $5,396 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 SEATTLE page.
Other grades in SEATTLE
GS-15 in SEATTLE questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in SEATTLE?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns $140,306 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. This is 27.02% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in SEATTLE?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SEATTLE in 2021, it is 27.02%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,846 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in SEATTLE?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in SEATTLE earns roughly $5,396 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.