An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$132,951 GS-15 Step 1 in Tucson (2022)
$172,836 GS-15 Step 10 in Tucson (2022)
+$20,061 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 17.77% 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 $132,951 $5,113.50 $63.70 +$20,061
Step 2 $137,382 $5,283.92 $65.83 +$20,729
Step 3 $141,814 $5,454.38 $67.95 +$21,398
Step 4 $146,246 $5,624.85 $70.07 +$22,067
Step 5 $150,677 $5,795.27 $72.20 +$22,735
Step 6 $155,109 $5,965.73 $74.32 +$23,404
Step 7 $159,541 $6,136.19 $76.45 +$24,073
Step 8 $163,972 $6,306.62 $78.57 +$24,741
Step 9 $168,404 $6,477.08 $80.69 +$25,410
Step 10 $172,836 $6,647.54 $82.82 +$26,079
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Tucson GS-15 Step 1 $132,951
  • Locality add-on +$20,061
  • Adjustment percent 17.77%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Tucson GS-15 Step 10 $172,836

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 Tucson: 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 Tucson pay area adds a 17.77% 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 Tucson

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $5,114 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,648. 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 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-15 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Tucson?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $132,951 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,836. This is 17.77% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Tucson?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2022, it is 17.77%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,061 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Tucson?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $5,114 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.