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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$136,416 GS-15 Step 1 in Phoenix (2022)
$176,300 GS-15 Step 10 in Phoenix (2022)
+$23,526 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Phoenix

Each step below already includes the 20.84% 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 $136,416 $5,246.77 $65.36 +$23,526
Step 2 $140,963 $5,421.65 $67.54 +$24,310
Step 3 $145,511 $5,596.58 $69.72 +$25,095
Step 4 $150,058 $5,771.46 $71.90 +$25,879
Step 5 $154,605 $5,946.35 $74.08 +$26,663
Step 6 $159,152 $6,121.23 $76.26 +$27,447
Step 7 $163,700 $6,296.15 $78.44 +$28,232
Step 8 $168,247 $6,471.04 $80.62 +$29,016
Step 9 $172,794 $6,645.92 $82.80 +$29,800
Step 10 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$29,543
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Phoenix pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Phoenix GS-15 Step 1 $136,416
  • Locality add-on +$23,526
  • Adjustment percent 20.84%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Phoenix GS-15 Step 10 $176,300

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 Phoenix: 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 Phoenix pay area adds a 20.84% 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 Phoenix

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $5,247 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 Phoenix page.

Other grades in Phoenix

GS-15 in Phoenix questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Phoenix?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $136,416 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 20.84% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Phoenix?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Phoenix in 2022, it is 20.84%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,526 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Phoenix?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $5,247 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.