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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$146,874 GS-15 Step 1 in Portland (2023)
$183,500 GS-15 Step 10 in Portland (2023)
+$29,356 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Portland

Each step below already includes the 24.98% 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 $146,874 $5,649.00 $70.38 +$29,356
Step 2 $151,769 $5,837.27 $72.72 +$30,334
Step 3 $156,665 $6,025.58 $75.07 +$31,313
Step 4 $161,560 $6,213.85 $77.41 +$32,291
Step 5 $166,456 $6,402.15 $79.76 +$33,270
Step 6 $171,351 $6,590.42 $82.10 +$34,248
Step 7 $176,247 $6,778.73 $84.45 +$35,227
Step 8 $181,142 $6,967.00 $86.80 +$36,205
Step 9 $183,500 $7,057.69 $87.93 +$34,646
Step 10 $183,500 $7,057.69 $87.93 +$30,729
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Portland pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Portland GS-15 Step 1 $146,874
  • Locality add-on +$29,356
  • Adjustment percent 24.98%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Portland GS-15 Step 10 $183,500

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 Portland: 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 Portland pay area adds a 24.98% 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 Portland

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Portland earns roughly $5,649 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 Portland page.

Other grades in Portland

GS-15 in Portland questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Portland?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Portland earns $146,874 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 24.98% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Portland?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Portland in 2023, it is 24.98%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,356 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Portland?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Portland earns roughly $5,649 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.