2022 GS-15 Pay in Seattle
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 28.28% 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 $144,815 in Seattle.
2022 GS-15 Pay in Seattle
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $144,815 | $5,569.81 | $69.39 | +$31,925 |
| Step 2 | $149,642 | $5,755.46 | $71.70 | +$32,989 |
| Step 3 | $154,470 | $5,941.15 | $74.02 | +$34,054 |
| Step 4 | $159,297 | $6,126.81 | $76.33 | +$35,118 |
| Step 5 | $164,124 | $6,312.46 | $78.64 | +$36,182 |
| Step 6 | $168,951 | $6,498.12 | $80.95 | +$37,246 |
| Step 7 | $173,778 | $6,683.77 | $83.27 | +$38,310 |
| 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 Seattle
Each step below already includes the 28.28% 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 | $144,815 | $5,569.81 | $69.39 | +$31,925 |
| Step 2 | $149,642 | $5,755.46 | $71.70 | +$32,989 |
| Step 3 | $154,470 | $5,941.15 | $74.02 | +$34,054 |
| Step 4 | $159,297 | $6,126.81 | $76.33 | +$35,118 |
| Step 5 | $164,124 | $6,312.46 | $78.64 | +$36,182 |
| Step 6 | $168,951 | $6,498.12 | $80.95 | +$37,246 |
| Step 7 | $173,778 | $6,683.77 | $83.27 | +$38,310 |
| 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 Seattle pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Seattle: 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 Seattle pay area adds a 28.28% 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 Seattle
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $5,570 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 Seattle page.
Other grades in Seattle
GS-15 in Seattle questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Seattle?
In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $144,815 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 28.28% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Seattle?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2022, it is 28.28%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $31,925 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Seattle?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $5,570 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.