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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$59,744 GS-8 Step 1 in Philadelphia (2024)
$77,665 GS-8 Step 10 in Philadelphia (2024)
+$13,269 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-8 pay table for Philadelphia

Each step below already includes the 28.55% 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 $59,744 $2,297.85 $28.63 +$13,269
Step 2 $61,735 $2,374.42 $29.58 +$13,711
Step 3 $63,726 $2,451.00 $30.53 +$14,153
Step 4 $65,717 $2,527.58 $31.49 +$14,595
Step 5 $67,709 $2,604.19 $32.44 +$15,038
Step 6 $69,700 $2,680.77 $33.40 +$15,480
Step 7 $71,691 $2,757.35 $34.35 +$15,922
Step 8 $73,682 $2,833.92 $35.31 +$16,364
Step 9 $75,674 $2,910.54 $36.26 +$16,807
Step 10 $77,665 $2,987.12 $37.21 +$17,249
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Philadelphia pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $46,475
  • Philadelphia GS-8 Step 1 $59,744
  • Locality add-on +$13,269
  • Adjustment percent 28.55%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $60,416
  • Philadelphia GS-8 Step 10 $77,665

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 2024, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.55% 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 $2,298 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,987. 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-8 Philadelphia page.

Other grades in Philadelphia

GS-8 in Philadelphia questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Philadelphia?
    In 2024, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $59,744 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $77,665. This is 28.55% 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 2024, it is 28.55%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,269 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 $2,298 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.