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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$56,747 GS-8 Step 1 in Philadelphia (2023)
$73,775 GS-8 Step 10 in Philadelphia (2023)
+$12,358 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-8 pay table for Philadelphia

Each step below already includes the 27.84% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $56,747 $2,182.58 $27.19 +$12,358
Step 2 $58,639 $2,255.35 $28.10 +$12,770
Step 3 $60,531 $2,328.12 $29.00 +$13,182
Step 4 $62,423 $2,400.88 $29.91 +$13,594
Step 5 $64,315 $2,473.65 $30.82 +$14,006
Step 6 $66,207 $2,546.42 $31.72 +$14,418
Step 7 $68,099 $2,619.19 $32.63 +$14,830
Step 8 $69,991 $2,691.96 $33.54 +$15,242
Step 9 $71,883 $2,764.73 $34.44 +$15,654
Step 10 $73,775 $2,837.50 $35.35 +$16,066
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Philadelphia pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $44,389
  • Philadelphia GS-8 Step 1 $56,747
  • Locality add-on +$12,358
  • Adjustment percent 27.84%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $57,709
  • Philadelphia GS-8 Step 10 $73,775

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-8 in Philadelphia: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2023, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 27.84% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Philadelphia

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $2,183 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,838. 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-8 Philadelphia page.

Other grades in Philadelphia

GS-8 in Philadelphia questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Philadelphia?
    In 2023, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $56,747 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $73,775. This is 27.84% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 in Philadelphia?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2023, it is 27.84%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,358 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Philadelphia?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $2,183 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.