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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$129,448 GS-15 Step 1 in TUCSON (2021)
$168,282 GS-15 Step 10 in TUCSON (2021)
+$18,988 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-15 pay table for TUCSON

Each step below already includes the 17.19% 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 $129,448 $4,978.77 $62.03 +$18,988
Step 2 $133,763 $5,144.73 $64.09 +$19,621
Step 3 $138,078 $5,310.69 $66.16 +$20,254
Step 4 $142,393 $5,476.65 $68.23 +$20,887
Step 5 $146,708 $5,642.62 $70.30 +$21,520
Step 6 $151,023 $5,808.58 $72.36 +$22,153
Step 7 $155,338 $5,974.54 $74.43 +$22,786
Step 8 $159,653 $6,140.50 $76.50 +$23,419
Step 9 $163,968 $6,306.46 $78.57 +$24,052
Step 10 $168,282 $6,472.38 $80.63 +$24,684
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more TUCSON pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 1 $129,448
  • Locality add-on +$18,988
  • Adjustment percent 17.19%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • TUCSON GS-15 Step 10 $168,282

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 TUCSON: 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 TUCSON pay area adds a 17.19% 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 TUCSON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $4,979 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,472. 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 TUCSON page.

Other grades in TUCSON

GS-15 in TUCSON questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in TUCSON?
    In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns $129,448 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $168,282. This is 17.19% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in TUCSON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For TUCSON in 2021, it is 17.19%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,988 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in TUCSON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in TUCSON earns roughly $4,979 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.