2026 GS-15 Pay in Houston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Houston-The Woodlands, TX earn 35.00% 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 $170,618 in Houston.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Houston
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Houston-The Woodlands, TX.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $170,618 | $6,562.23 | $81.75 | +$44,234 |
| Step 2 | $176,306 | $6,781.00 | $84.48 | +$45,709 |
| Step 3 | $181,994 | $6,999.77 | $87.20 | +$47,184 |
| Step 4 | $187,681 | $7,218.50 | $89.93 | +$48,658 |
| Step 5 | $193,369 | $7,437.27 | $92.65 | +$50,133 |
| Step 6 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$49,751 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Houston
Each step below already includes the 35.00% 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 | $170,618 | $6,562.23 | $81.75 | +$44,234 |
| Step 2 | $176,306 | $6,781.00 | $84.48 | +$45,709 |
| Step 3 | $181,994 | $6,999.77 | $87.20 | +$47,184 |
| Step 4 | $187,681 | $7,218.50 | $89.93 | +$48,658 |
| Step 5 | $193,369 | $7,437.27 | $92.65 | +$50,133 |
| Step 6 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$49,751 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Houston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Houston: 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 Houston pay area adds a 35.00% 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 Houston
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $6,562 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 Houston
GS-15 in Houston questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Houston?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $170,618 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 35.00% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Houston?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2026, it is 35.00%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $44,234 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Houston?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $6,562 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.