2026 GS-15 Pay in Albany
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA earn 20.77% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $152,634 in Albany.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Albany
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $152,634 | $5,870.54 | $73.14 | +$26,250 |
| Step 2 | $157,722 | $6,066.23 | $75.57 | +$27,125 |
| Step 3 | $162,810 | $6,261.92 | $78.01 | +$28,000 |
| Step 4 | $167,898 | $6,457.62 | $80.45 | +$28,875 |
| Step 5 | $172,986 | $6,653.31 | $82.89 | +$29,750 |
| Step 6 | $178,074 | $6,849.00 | $85.33 | +$30,625 |
| Step 7 | $183,162 | $7,044.69 | $87.76 | +$31,500 |
| Step 8 | $188,250 | $7,240.38 | $90.20 | +$32,375 |
| Step 9 | $193,338 | $7,436.08 | $92.64 | +$33,250 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Albany
Each step below already includes the 20.77% 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 | $152,634 | $5,870.54 | $73.14 | +$26,250 |
| Step 2 | $157,722 | $6,066.23 | $75.57 | +$27,125 |
| Step 3 | $162,810 | $6,261.92 | $78.01 | +$28,000 |
| Step 4 | $167,898 | $6,457.62 | $80.45 | +$28,875 |
| Step 5 | $172,986 | $6,653.31 | $82.89 | +$29,750 |
| Step 6 | $178,074 | $6,849.00 | $85.33 | +$30,625 |
| Step 7 | $183,162 | $7,044.69 | $87.76 | +$31,500 |
| Step 8 | $188,250 | $7,240.38 | $90.20 | +$32,375 |
| Step 9 | $193,338 | $7,436.08 | $92.64 | +$33,250 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Albany pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Albany: 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 2026, the Albany pay area adds a 20.77% 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 Albany
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albany earns roughly $5,871 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Albany
GS-15 in Albany questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Albany?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albany earns $152,634 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 20.77% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Albany?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Albany in 2026, it is 20.77%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,250 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Albany?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Albany earns roughly $5,871 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.