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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$52,588 GS-8 Step 1 in PHILADELPHIA (2021)
$68,367 GS-8 Step 10 in PHILADELPHIA (2021)
+$10,865 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-8 pay table for PHILADELPHIA

Each step below already includes the 26.04% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $52,588 $2,022.62 $25.20 +$10,865
Step 2 $54,341 $2,090.04 $26.04 +$11,227
Step 3 $56,094 $2,157.46 $26.88 +$11,589
Step 4 $57,847 $2,224.88 $27.72 +$11,951
Step 5 $59,601 $2,292.35 $28.56 +$12,314
Step 6 $61,354 $2,359.77 $29.40 +$12,676
Step 7 $63,107 $2,427.19 $30.24 +$13,038
Step 8 $64,860 $2,494.62 $31.08 +$13,400
Step 9 $66,613 $2,562.04 $31.92 +$13,762
Step 10 $68,367 $2,629.50 $32.76 +$14,125
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more PHILADELPHIA pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $41,723
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-8 Step 1 $52,588
  • Locality add-on +$10,865
  • Adjustment percent 26.04%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $54,242
  • PHILADELPHIA GS-8 Step 10 $68,367

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-8 in PHILADELPHIA: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2021, the PHILADELPHIA pay area adds a 26.04% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,023 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,630. 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-8 PHILADELPHIA page.

Other grades in PHILADELPHIA

GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in PHILADELPHIA?
    In 2021, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns $52,588 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $68,367. This is 26.04% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For PHILADELPHIA in 2021, it is 26.04%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,865 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in PHILADELPHIA?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in PHILADELPHIA earns roughly $2,023 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.