2026 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 $126,384 on the base table to $154,757 in Phoenix.
2026 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 | $154,757 | $5,952.19 | $74.15 | +$28,373 |
| Step 2 | $159,916 | $6,150.62 | $76.62 | +$29,319 |
| Step 3 | $165,075 | $6,349.04 | $79.10 | +$30,265 |
| Step 4 | $170,234 | $6,547.46 | $81.57 | +$31,211 |
| Step 5 | $175,392 | $6,745.85 | $84.04 | +$32,156 |
| Step 6 | $180,551 | $6,944.27 | $86.51 | +$33,102 |
| Step 7 | $185,710 | $7,142.69 | $88.98 | +$34,048 |
| Step 8 | $190,869 | $7,341.12 | $91.46 | +$34,994 |
| Step 9 | $196,028 | $7,539.54 | $93.93 | +$35,940 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 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 | $154,757 | $5,952.19 | $74.15 | +$28,373 |
| Step 2 | $159,916 | $6,150.62 | $76.62 | +$29,319 |
| Step 3 | $165,075 | $6,349.04 | $79.10 | +$30,265 |
| Step 4 | $170,234 | $6,547.46 | $81.57 | +$31,211 |
| Step 5 | $175,392 | $6,745.85 | $84.04 | +$32,156 |
| Step 6 | $180,551 | $6,944.27 | $86.51 | +$33,102 |
| Step 7 | $185,710 | $7,142.69 | $88.98 | +$34,048 |
| Step 8 | $190,869 | $7,341.12 | $91.46 | +$34,994 |
| Step 9 | $196,028 | $7,539.54 | $93.93 | +$35,940 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
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 2026, 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 $5,952 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 Phoenix
GS-15 in Phoenix questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Phoenix?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Phoenix earns $154,757 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. 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 2026, it is 22.45%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,373 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 $5,952 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.