An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$146,320 GS-15 Step 1 in Tucson (2024)
$190,213 GS-15 Step 10 in Tucson (2024)
+$23,279 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Tucson

Each step below already includes the 18.92% 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 $146,320 $5,627.69 $70.11 +$23,279
Step 2 $151,197 $5,815.27 $72.45 +$24,055
Step 3 $156,074 $6,002.85 $74.78 +$24,831
Step 4 $160,951 $6,190.42 $77.12 +$25,607
Step 5 $165,828 $6,378.00 $79.46 +$26,383
Step 6 $170,705 $6,565.58 $81.79 +$27,159
Step 7 $175,582 $6,753.15 $84.13 +$27,935
Step 8 $180,459 $6,940.73 $86.47 +$28,711
Step 9 $185,336 $7,128.31 $88.80 +$29,487
Step 10 $190,213 $7,315.88 $91.14 +$30,263
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Tucson pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Tucson GS-15 Step 1 $146,320
  • Locality add-on +$23,279
  • Adjustment percent 18.92%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Tucson GS-15 Step 10 $190,213

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 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 2024, the Tucson pay area adds a 18.92% 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 $5,628 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,316. 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 Tucson page.

Other grades in Tucson

GS-15 in Tucson questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Tucson?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $146,320 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $190,213. This is 18.92% 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 2024, it is 18.92%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,279 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 $5,628 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.