2026 GS-15 Pay in Philadelphia
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD earn 28.99% 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 $163,023 in Philadelphia.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Philadelphia
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $163,023 | $6,270.12 | $78.11 | +$36,639 |
| Step 2 | $168,457 | $6,479.12 | $80.72 | +$37,860 |
| Step 3 | $173,891 | $6,688.12 | $83.32 | +$39,081 |
| Step 4 | $179,326 | $6,897.15 | $85.93 | +$40,303 |
| Step 5 | $184,760 | $7,106.15 | $88.53 | +$41,524 |
| Step 6 | $190,194 | $7,315.15 | $91.13 | +$42,745 |
| Step 7 | $195,629 | $7,524.19 | $93.74 | +$43,967 |
| 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 Philadelphia
Each step below already includes the 28.99% 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 | $163,023 | $6,270.12 | $78.11 | +$36,639 |
| Step 2 | $168,457 | $6,479.12 | $80.72 | +$37,860 |
| Step 3 | $173,891 | $6,688.12 | $83.32 | +$39,081 |
| Step 4 | $179,326 | $6,897.15 | $85.93 | +$40,303 |
| Step 5 | $184,760 | $7,106.15 | $88.53 | +$41,524 |
| Step 6 | $190,194 | $7,315.15 | $91.13 | +$42,745 |
| Step 7 | $195,629 | $7,524.19 | $93.74 | +$43,967 |
| 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 Philadelphia pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Philadelphia: 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 Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.99% 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 Philadelphia
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $6,270 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 Philadelphia
GS-15 in Philadelphia questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Philadelphia?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $163,023 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 28.99% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Philadelphia?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2026, it is 28.99%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $36,639 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Philadelphia?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $6,270 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.