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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$135,355 GS-15 Step 1 in Pittsburgh (2022)
$175,962 GS-15 Step 10 in Pittsburgh (2022)
+$22,465 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Pittsburgh

Each step below already includes the 19.90% 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 $135,355 $5,205.96 $64.86 +$22,465
Step 2 $139,867 $5,379.50 $67.02 +$23,214
Step 3 $144,379 $5,553.04 $69.18 +$23,963
Step 4 $148,891 $5,726.58 $71.34 +$24,712
Step 5 $153,402 $5,900.08 $73.50 +$25,460
Step 6 $157,914 $6,073.62 $75.67 +$26,209
Step 7 $162,426 $6,247.15 $77.83 +$26,958
Step 8 $166,938 $6,420.69 $79.99 +$27,707
Step 9 $171,450 $6,594.23 $82.15 +$28,456
Step 10 $175,962 $6,767.77 $84.31 +$29,205
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Pittsburgh pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Pittsburgh GS-15 Step 1 $135,355
  • Locality add-on +$22,465
  • Adjustment percent 19.90%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Pittsburgh GS-15 Step 10 $175,962

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 Pittsburgh: 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 Pittsburgh pay area adds a 19.90% 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 Pittsburgh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $5,206 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,768. 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 Pittsburgh page.

Other grades in Pittsburgh

GS-15 in Pittsburgh questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Pittsburgh?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns $135,355 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $175,962. This is 19.90% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Pittsburgh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Pittsburgh in 2022, it is 19.90%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,465 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Pittsburgh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $5,206 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.