2023 GS-15 Pay in Seattle
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 29.57% 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 $152,268 in Seattle.
2023 GS-15 Pay in Seattle
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $152,268 | $5,856.46 | $72.96 | +$34,750 |
| Step 2 | $157,343 | $6,051.65 | $75.39 | +$35,908 |
| Step 3 | $162,419 | $6,246.88 | $77.82 | +$37,067 |
| Step 4 | $167,494 | $6,442.08 | $80.26 | +$38,225 |
| Step 5 | $172,569 | $6,637.27 | $82.69 | +$39,383 |
| Step 6 | $177,644 | $6,832.46 | $85.12 | +$40,541 |
| Step 7 | $182,720 | $7,027.69 | $87.55 | +$41,700 |
| 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 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Seattle
Each step below already includes the 29.57% 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 | $152,268 | $5,856.46 | $72.96 | +$34,750 |
| Step 2 | $157,343 | $6,051.65 | $75.39 | +$35,908 |
| Step 3 | $162,419 | $6,246.88 | $77.82 | +$37,067 |
| Step 4 | $167,494 | $6,442.08 | $80.26 | +$38,225 |
| Step 5 | $172,569 | $6,637.27 | $82.69 | +$39,383 |
| Step 6 | $177,644 | $6,832.46 | $85.12 | +$40,541 |
| Step 7 | $182,720 | $7,027.69 | $87.55 | +$41,700 |
| 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 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Seattle pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Seattle: 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 Seattle pay area adds a 29.57% 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 Seattle
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $5,856 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 Seattle page.
Other grades in Seattle
GS-15 in Seattle questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Seattle?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $152,268 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 29.57% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Seattle?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2023, it is 29.57%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $34,750 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Seattle?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $5,856 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.