2024 GS-15 Pay in Seattle
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 30.81% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $160,950 in Seattle.
2024 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 | $160,950 | $6,190.38 | $77.12 | +$37,909 |
| Step 2 | $166,314 | $6,396.69 | $79.69 | +$39,172 |
| Step 3 | $171,679 | $6,603.04 | $82.26 | +$40,436 |
| Step 4 | $177,043 | $6,809.35 | $84.83 | +$41,699 |
| Step 5 | $182,408 | $7,015.69 | $87.40 | +$42,963 |
| Step 6 | $187,773 | $7,222.04 | $89.97 | +$44,227 |
| Step 7 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$44,253 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
2024 GS-15 pay table for Seattle
Each step below already includes the 30.81% 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 | $160,950 | $6,190.38 | $77.12 | +$37,909 |
| Step 2 | $166,314 | $6,396.69 | $79.69 | +$39,172 |
| Step 3 | $171,679 | $6,603.04 | $82.26 | +$40,436 |
| Step 4 | $177,043 | $6,809.35 | $84.83 | +$41,699 |
| Step 5 | $182,408 | $7,015.69 | $87.40 | +$42,963 |
| Step 6 | $187,773 | $7,222.04 | $89.97 | +$44,227 |
| Step 7 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$44,253 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
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 2024, the Seattle pay area adds a 30.81% 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 $6,190 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 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 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $160,950 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 30.81% 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 2024, it is 30.81%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $37,909 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 $6,190 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.