2023 GS-15 Pay in Raleigh
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC earn 21.37% 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 $142,632 in Raleigh.
2023 GS-15 Pay in Raleigh
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $142,632 | $5,485.85 | $68.34 | +$25,114 |
| Step 2 | $147,386 | $5,668.69 | $70.62 | +$25,951 |
| Step 3 | $152,140 | $5,851.54 | $72.90 | +$26,788 |
| Step 4 | $156,894 | $6,034.38 | $75.18 | +$27,625 |
| Step 5 | $161,648 | $6,217.23 | $77.45 | +$28,462 |
| Step 6 | $166,402 | $6,400.08 | $79.73 | +$29,299 |
| Step 7 | $171,156 | $6,582.92 | $82.01 | +$30,136 |
| Step 8 | $175,910 | $6,765.77 | $84.29 | +$30,973 |
| Step 9 | $180,664 | $6,948.62 | $86.57 | +$31,810 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Raleigh
Each step below already includes the 21.37% 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 | $142,632 | $5,485.85 | $68.34 | +$25,114 |
| Step 2 | $147,386 | $5,668.69 | $70.62 | +$25,951 |
| Step 3 | $152,140 | $5,851.54 | $72.90 | +$26,788 |
| Step 4 | $156,894 | $6,034.38 | $75.18 | +$27,625 |
| Step 5 | $161,648 | $6,217.23 | $77.45 | +$28,462 |
| Step 6 | $166,402 | $6,400.08 | $79.73 | +$29,299 |
| Step 7 | $171,156 | $6,582.92 | $82.01 | +$30,136 |
| Step 8 | $175,910 | $6,765.77 | $84.29 | +$30,973 |
| Step 9 | $180,664 | $6,948.62 | $86.57 | +$31,810 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Raleigh pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Raleigh: 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 Raleigh pay area adds a 21.37% 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 Raleigh
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $5,486 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 Raleigh page.
Other grades in Raleigh
GS-15 in Raleigh questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Raleigh?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $142,632 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 21.37% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Raleigh?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2023, it is 21.37%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,114 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Raleigh?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $5,486 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.