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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$158,920 GS-15 Step 1 in Sacramento (2024)
$0 GS-15 Step 10 in Sacramento (2024)
+$35,879 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Sacramento

Each step below already includes the 29.16% 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 $158,920 $6,112.31 $76.15 +$35,879
Step 2 $164,217 $6,316.04 $78.69 +$37,075
Step 3 $169,513 $6,519.73 $81.22 +$38,270
Step 4 $174,810 $6,723.46 $83.76 +$39,466
Step 5 $180,107 $6,927.19 $86.30 +$40,662
Step 6 $185,404 $7,130.92 $88.84 +$41,858
Step 7 $190,701 $7,334.65 $91.38 +$43,054
Step 8 $0 $0.00 $91.95 +-$151,748
Step 9 $0 $0.00 $91.95 +-$155,849
Step 10 $0 $0.00 $91.95 +-$159,950
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Sacramento pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Sacramento GS-15 Step 1 $158,920
  • Locality add-on +$35,879
  • Adjustment percent 29.16%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Sacramento GS-15 Step 10 $0

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 2024, the Sacramento pay area adds a 29.16% 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 $6,112 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $0. 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 Sacramento page.

Other grades in Sacramento

GS-15 in Sacramento questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Sacramento?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $158,920 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $0. This is 29.16% 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 2024, it is 29.16%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $35,879 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 $6,112 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.