2023 GS-15 Pay in Houston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Houston-The Woodlands, TX earn 34.47% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $158,026 in Houston.
2023 GS-15 Pay in Houston
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Houston-The Woodlands, TX.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $158,026 | $6,077.92 | $75.72 | +$40,508 |
| Step 2 | $163,294 | $6,280.54 | $78.24 | +$41,859 |
| Step 3 | $168,561 | $6,483.12 | $80.77 | +$43,209 |
| Step 4 | $173,828 | $6,685.69 | $83.29 | +$44,559 |
| Step 5 | $179,095 | $6,888.27 | $85.81 | +$45,909 |
| Step 6 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$46,397 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Houston
Each step below already includes the 34.47% 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 | $158,026 | $6,077.92 | $75.72 | +$40,508 |
| Step 2 | $163,294 | $6,280.54 | $78.24 | +$41,859 |
| Step 3 | $168,561 | $6,483.12 | $80.77 | +$43,209 |
| Step 4 | $173,828 | $6,685.69 | $83.29 | +$44,559 |
| Step 5 | $179,095 | $6,888.27 | $85.81 | +$45,909 |
| Step 6 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$46,397 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Houston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Houston: 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 2023, the Houston pay area adds a 34.47% 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 Houston
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $6,078 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Houston page.
Other grades in Houston
GS-15 in Houston questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Houston?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $158,026 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 34.47% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Houston?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2023, it is 34.47%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $40,508 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Houston?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $6,078 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.