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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$142,643 GS-15 Step 1 in Richmond (2023)
$183,500 GS-15 Step 10 in Richmond (2023)
+$25,125 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Richmond

Each step below already includes the 21.38% 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 $142,643 $5,486.27 $68.35 +$25,125
Step 2 $147,398 $5,669.15 $70.63 +$25,963
Step 3 $152,152 $5,852.00 $72.90 +$26,800
Step 4 $156,907 $6,034.88 $75.18 +$27,638
Step 5 $161,661 $6,217.73 $77.46 +$28,475
Step 6 $166,416 $6,400.62 $79.74 +$29,313
Step 7 $171,170 $6,583.46 $82.02 +$30,150
Step 8 $175,925 $6,766.35 $84.30 +$30,988
Step 9 $180,679 $6,949.19 $86.57 +$31,825
Step 10 $183,500 $7,057.69 $87.93 +$30,729
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Richmond pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Richmond GS-15 Step 1 $142,643
  • Locality add-on +$25,125
  • Adjustment percent 21.38%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Richmond 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 Richmond: 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 Richmond pay area adds a 21.38% 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 Richmond

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond 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 Richmond page.

Other grades in Richmond

GS-15 in Richmond questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Richmond?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $142,643 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 21.38% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Richmond?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Richmond in 2023, it is 21.38%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,125 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Richmond?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $5,486 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.