2023 GS-15 Pay in Phoenix
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ earn 21.44% 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 $142,714 in Phoenix.
2023 GS-15 Pay in Phoenix
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Phoenix-Mesa, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $142,714 | $5,489.00 | $68.38 | +$25,196 |
| Step 2 | $147,471 | $5,671.96 | $70.66 | +$26,036 |
| Step 3 | $152,227 | $5,854.88 | $72.94 | +$26,875 |
| Step 4 | $156,984 | $6,037.85 | $75.22 | +$27,715 |
| Step 5 | $161,741 | $6,220.81 | $77.50 | +$28,555 |
| Step 6 | $166,498 | $6,403.77 | $79.78 | +$29,395 |
| Step 7 | $171,255 | $6,586.73 | $82.06 | +$30,235 |
| Step 8 | $176,011 | $6,769.65 | $84.34 | +$31,074 |
| Step 9 | $180,768 | $6,952.62 | $86.62 | +$31,914 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Phoenix
Each step below already includes the 21.44% 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 | $142,714 | $5,489.00 | $68.38 | +$25,196 |
| Step 2 | $147,471 | $5,671.96 | $70.66 | +$26,036 |
| Step 3 | $152,227 | $5,854.88 | $72.94 | +$26,875 |
| Step 4 | $156,984 | $6,037.85 | $75.22 | +$27,715 |
| Step 5 | $161,741 | $6,220.81 | $77.50 | +$28,555 |
| Step 6 | $166,498 | $6,403.77 | $79.78 | +$29,395 |
| Step 7 | $171,255 | $6,586.73 | $82.06 | +$30,235 |
| Step 8 | $176,011 | $6,769.65 | $84.34 | +$31,074 |
| Step 9 | $180,768 | $6,952.62 | $86.62 | +$31,914 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Phoenix pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Phoenix: 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 Phoenix pay area adds a 21.44% 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 Phoenix
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $5,489 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 Phoenix page.
Other grades in Phoenix
GS-15 in Phoenix questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Phoenix?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $142,714 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 21.44% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Phoenix?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Phoenix in 2023, it is 21.44%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,196 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Phoenix?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $5,489 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.