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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$65,987 GS-9 Step 1 in Philadelphia (2024)
$85,783 GS-9 Step 10 in Philadelphia (2024)
+$14,655 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $65,987 $2,537.96 $31.62 +$14,655
Step 2 $68,187 $2,622.58 $32.67 +$15,144
Step 3 $70,386 $2,707.15 $33.73 +$15,632
Step 4 $72,586 $2,791.77 $34.78 +$16,121
Step 5 $74,785 $2,876.35 $35.83 +$16,609
Step 6 $76,985 $2,960.96 $36.89 +$17,098
Step 7 $79,184 $3,045.54 $37.94 +$17,586
Step 8 $81,384 $3,130.15 $39.00 +$18,075
Step 9 $83,583 $3,214.73 $40.05 +$18,563
Step 10 $85,783 $3,299.35 $41.10 +$19,052
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Philadelphia pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $51,332
  • Philadelphia GS-9 Step 1 $65,987
  • Locality add-on +$14,655
  • Adjustment percent 28.55%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $66,731
  • Philadelphia GS-9 Step 10 $85,783

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-9 in Philadelphia: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2024, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.55% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 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-9 in Philadelphia

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $2,538 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,299. 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-9 Philadelphia page.

Other grades in Philadelphia

GS-9 in Philadelphia questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Philadelphia?
    In 2024, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $65,987 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $85,783. This is 28.55% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,655 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Philadelphia?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $2,538 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.