2022 GS-15 Pay in Houston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Houston-The Woodlands, TX earn 33.96% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $151,227 in Houston.
2022 GS-15 Pay in Houston
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Houston-The Woodlands, TX.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $151,227 | $5,816.42 | $72.46 | +$38,337 |
| Step 2 | $156,268 | $6,010.31 | $74.88 | +$39,615 |
| Step 3 | $161,309 | $6,204.19 | $77.29 | +$40,893 |
| Step 4 | $166,350 | $6,398.08 | $79.71 | +$42,171 |
| Step 5 | $171,391 | $6,591.96 | $82.12 | +$43,449 |
| Step 6 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$44,595 |
| Step 7 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$40,832 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
2022 GS-15 pay table for Houston
Each step below already includes the 33.96% 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 | $151,227 | $5,816.42 | $72.46 | +$38,337 |
| Step 2 | $156,268 | $6,010.31 | $74.88 | +$39,615 |
| Step 3 | $161,309 | $6,204.19 | $77.29 | +$40,893 |
| Step 4 | $166,350 | $6,398.08 | $79.71 | +$42,171 |
| Step 5 | $171,391 | $6,591.96 | $82.12 | +$43,449 |
| Step 6 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$44,595 |
| Step 7 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$40,832 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Houston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Houston: 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 2022, the Houston pay area adds a 33.96% 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 Houston
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $5,816 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2022 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Houston page.
Other grades in Houston
GS-15 in Houston questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Houston?
In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $151,227 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 33.96% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Houston?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2022, it is 33.96%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $38,337 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Houston?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $5,816 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.