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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$148,609 GS-15 Step 1 in Pittsburgh (2024)
$191,900 GS-15 Step 10 in Pittsburgh (2024)
+$25,568 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Pittsburgh

Each step below already includes the 20.78% 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 $148,609 $5,715.73 $71.21 +$25,568
Step 2 $153,562 $5,906.23 $73.58 +$26,420
Step 3 $158,515 $6,096.73 $75.95 +$27,272
Step 4 $163,468 $6,287.23 $78.33 +$28,124
Step 5 $168,422 $6,477.77 $80.70 +$28,977
Step 6 $173,375 $6,668.27 $83.07 +$29,829
Step 7 $178,328 $6,858.77 $85.45 +$30,681
Step 8 $183,281 $7,049.27 $87.82 +$31,533
Step 9 $188,234 $7,239.77 $90.19 +$32,385
Step 10 $191,900 $7,380.77 $91.95 +$31,950
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Pittsburgh pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Pittsburgh GS-15 Step 1 $148,609
  • Locality add-on +$25,568
  • Adjustment percent 20.78%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Pittsburgh GS-15 Step 10 $191,900

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 Pittsburgh: 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 2024, the Pittsburgh pay area adds a 20.78% 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 Pittsburgh

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $5,716 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,381. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Pittsburgh page.

Other grades in Pittsburgh

GS-15 in Pittsburgh questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Pittsburgh?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns $148,609 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 20.78% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Pittsburgh?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Pittsburgh in 2024, it is 20.78%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,568 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Pittsburgh?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Pittsburgh earns roughly $5,716 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.