2023 GS-15 Pay in Los Angeles
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA earn 34.89% 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 $158,520 in Los Angeles.
2023 GS-15 Pay in Los Angeles
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $158,520 | $6,096.92 | $75.96 | +$41,002 |
| Step 2 | $163,804 | $6,300.15 | $78.49 | +$42,369 |
| Step 3 | $169,087 | $6,503.35 | $81.02 | +$43,735 |
| Step 4 | $174,371 | $6,706.58 | $83.55 | +$45,102 |
| Step 5 | $179,655 | $6,909.81 | $86.08 | +$46,469 |
| 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 Los Angeles
Each step below already includes the 34.89% 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 | $158,520 | $6,096.92 | $75.96 | +$41,002 |
| Step 2 | $163,804 | $6,300.15 | $78.49 | +$42,369 |
| Step 3 | $169,087 | $6,503.35 | $81.02 | +$43,735 |
| Step 4 | $174,371 | $6,706.58 | $83.55 | +$45,102 |
| Step 5 | $179,655 | $6,909.81 | $86.08 | +$46,469 |
| 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 Los Angeles pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Los Angeles: 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 Los Angeles pay area adds a 34.89% 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 Los Angeles
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $6,097 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 Los Angeles page.
Other grades in Los Angeles
GS-15 in Los Angeles questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Los Angeles?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns $158,520 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 34.89% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Los Angeles?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Los Angeles in 2023, it is 34.89%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $41,002 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Los Angeles?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Los Angeles earns roughly $6,097 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.