2022 GS-15 Pay in Philadelphia
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD earn 26.95% 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 $143,314 in Philadelphia.
2022 GS-15 Pay in Philadelphia
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $143,314 | $5,512.08 | $68.67 | +$30,424 |
| Step 2 | $148,091 | $5,695.81 | $70.96 | +$31,438 |
| Step 3 | $152,868 | $5,879.54 | $73.25 | +$32,452 |
| Step 4 | $157,645 | $6,063.27 | $75.54 | +$33,466 |
| Step 5 | $162,422 | $6,247.00 | $77.83 | +$34,480 |
| Step 6 | $167,199 | $6,430.73 | $80.11 | +$35,494 |
| Step 7 | $171,977 | $6,614.50 | $82.40 | +$36,509 |
| 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 Philadelphia
Each step below already includes the 26.95% 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 | $143,314 | $5,512.08 | $68.67 | +$30,424 |
| Step 2 | $148,091 | $5,695.81 | $70.96 | +$31,438 |
| Step 3 | $152,868 | $5,879.54 | $73.25 | +$32,452 |
| Step 4 | $157,645 | $6,063.27 | $75.54 | +$33,466 |
| Step 5 | $162,422 | $6,247.00 | $77.83 | +$34,480 |
| Step 6 | $167,199 | $6,430.73 | $80.11 | +$35,494 |
| Step 7 | $171,977 | $6,614.50 | $82.40 | +$36,509 |
| 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 Philadelphia pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Philadelphia: 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 Philadelphia pay area adds a 26.95% 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 Philadelphia
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $5,512 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 Philadelphia page.
Other grades in Philadelphia
GS-15 in Philadelphia questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Philadelphia?
In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $143,314 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 26.95% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Philadelphia?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2022, it is 26.95%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $30,424 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Philadelphia?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $5,512 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.