2023 GS-15 Pay in Tucson
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Tucson-Nogales, AZ earn 18.40% 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 $139,141 in Tucson.
2023 GS-15 Pay in Tucson
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Tucson-Nogales, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $139,141 | $5,351.58 | $66.67 | +$21,623 |
| Step 2 | $143,779 | $5,529.96 | $68.89 | +$22,344 |
| Step 3 | $148,417 | $5,708.35 | $71.11 | +$23,065 |
| Step 4 | $153,054 | $5,886.69 | $73.34 | +$23,785 |
| Step 5 | $157,692 | $6,065.08 | $75.56 | +$24,506 |
| Step 6 | $162,330 | $6,243.46 | $77.78 | +$25,227 |
| Step 7 | $166,968 | $6,421.85 | $80.00 | +$25,948 |
| Step 8 | $171,605 | $6,600.19 | $82.23 | +$26,668 |
| Step 9 | $176,243 | $6,778.58 | $84.45 | +$27,389 |
| Step 10 | $180,881 | $6,956.96 | $86.67 | +$28,110 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Tucson
Each step below already includes the 18.40% 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 | $139,141 | $5,351.58 | $66.67 | +$21,623 |
| Step 2 | $143,779 | $5,529.96 | $68.89 | +$22,344 |
| Step 3 | $148,417 | $5,708.35 | $71.11 | +$23,065 |
| Step 4 | $153,054 | $5,886.69 | $73.34 | +$23,785 |
| Step 5 | $157,692 | $6,065.08 | $75.56 | +$24,506 |
| Step 6 | $162,330 | $6,243.46 | $77.78 | +$25,227 |
| Step 7 | $166,968 | $6,421.85 | $80.00 | +$25,948 |
| Step 8 | $171,605 | $6,600.19 | $82.23 | +$26,668 |
| Step 9 | $176,243 | $6,778.58 | $84.45 | +$27,389 |
| Step 10 | $180,881 | $6,956.96 | $86.67 | +$28,110 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Tucson pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Tucson: 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 Tucson pay area adds a 18.40% 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 Tucson
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $5,352 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,957. 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 Tucson page.
Other grades in Tucson
GS-15 in Tucson questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Tucson?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $139,141 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $180,881. This is 18.40% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Tucson?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2023, it is 18.40%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,623 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Tucson?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $5,352 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.