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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$153,013 GS-15 Step 1 in Richmond (2025)
$195,200 GS-15 Step 10 in Richmond (2025)
+$27,880 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Richmond

Each step below already includes the 22.28% 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 $153,013 $5,885.12 $73.32 +$27,880
Step 2 $158,113 $6,081.27 $75.76 +$28,809
Step 3 $163,213 $6,277.42 $78.20 +$29,738
Step 4 $168,314 $6,473.62 $80.65 +$30,668
Step 5 $173,414 $6,669.77 $83.09 +$31,597
Step 6 $178,514 $6,865.92 $85.54 +$32,526
Step 7 $183,614 $7,062.08 $87.98 +$33,455
Step 8 $188,715 $7,258.27 $90.42 +$34,385
Step 9 $193,815 $7,454.42 $92.87 +$35,314
Step 10 $195,200 $7,507.69 $93.53 +$32,528
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Richmond pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Richmond GS-15 Step 1 $153,013
  • Locality add-on +$27,880
  • Adjustment percent 22.28%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Richmond GS-15 Step 10 $195,200

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 Richmond: 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 Richmond pay area adds a 22.28% 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 Richmond

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $5,885 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 Richmond page.

Other grades in Richmond

GS-15 in Richmond questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Richmond?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $153,013 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,200. This is 22.28% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Richmond?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Richmond in 2025, it is 22.28%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $27,880 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Richmond?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $5,885 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.