2025 GS-15 Pay in Phoenix
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ earn 22.45% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $125,133 on the base table to $153,225 in Phoenix.
2025 GS-15 Pay in Phoenix
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Phoenix-Mesa, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $153,225 | $5,893.27 | $73.42 | +$28,092 |
| Step 2 | $158,333 | $6,089.73 | $75.87 | +$29,029 |
| Step 3 | $163,440 | $6,286.15 | $78.31 | +$29,965 |
| Step 4 | $168,548 | $6,482.62 | $80.76 | +$30,902 |
| Step 5 | $173,655 | $6,679.04 | $83.21 | +$31,838 |
| Step 6 | $178,762 | $6,875.46 | $85.66 | +$32,774 |
| Step 7 | $183,870 | $7,071.92 | $88.10 | +$33,711 |
| Step 8 | $188,977 | $7,268.35 | $90.55 | +$34,647 |
| Step 9 | $194,084 | $7,464.77 | $93.00 | +$35,583 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Phoenix
Each step below already includes the 22.45% 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 | $153,225 | $5,893.27 | $73.42 | +$28,092 |
| Step 2 | $158,333 | $6,089.73 | $75.87 | +$29,029 |
| Step 3 | $163,440 | $6,286.15 | $78.31 | +$29,965 |
| Step 4 | $168,548 | $6,482.62 | $80.76 | +$30,902 |
| Step 5 | $173,655 | $6,679.04 | $83.21 | +$31,838 |
| Step 6 | $178,762 | $6,875.46 | $85.66 | +$32,774 |
| Step 7 | $183,870 | $7,071.92 | $88.10 | +$33,711 |
| Step 8 | $188,977 | $7,268.35 | $90.55 | +$34,647 |
| Step 9 | $194,084 | $7,464.77 | $93.00 | +$35,583 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Phoenix pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Phoenix: 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 2025, the Phoenix pay area adds a 22.45% 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 Phoenix
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $5,893 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,508. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Phoenix page.
Other grades in Phoenix
GS-15 in Phoenix questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Phoenix?
In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $153,225 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,200. This is 22.45% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Phoenix?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Phoenix in 2025, it is 22.45%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,092 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Phoenix?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns roughly $5,893 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.