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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$150,776 GS-15 Step 1 in Sacramento (2023)
$183,500 GS-15 Step 10 in Sacramento (2023)
+$33,258 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Sacramento

Each step below already includes the 28.30% 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 $150,776 $5,799.08 $72.25 +$33,258
Step 2 $155,801 $5,992.35 $74.65 +$34,366
Step 3 $160,827 $6,185.65 $77.06 +$35,475
Step 4 $165,852 $6,378.92 $79.47 +$36,583
Step 5 $170,878 $6,572.23 $81.88 +$37,692
Step 6 $175,903 $6,765.50 $84.29 +$38,800
Step 7 $180,929 $6,958.81 $86.69 +$39,909
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
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Sacramento pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Sacramento GS-15 Step 1 $150,776
  • Locality add-on +$33,258
  • Adjustment percent 28.30%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Sacramento 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 Sacramento: 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 Sacramento pay area adds a 28.30% 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 Sacramento

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $5,799 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 Sacramento page.

Other grades in Sacramento

GS-15 in Sacramento questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Sacramento?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $150,776 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 28.30% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Sacramento?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Sacramento in 2023, it is 28.30%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $33,258 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Sacramento?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $5,799 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.