2026 GS-15 Pay in Portland
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA earn 26.13% 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 $159,408 in Portland.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Portland
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $159,408 | $6,131.08 | $76.38 | +$33,024 |
| Step 2 | $164,722 | $6,335.46 | $78.93 | +$34,125 |
| Step 3 | $170,036 | $6,539.85 | $81.47 | +$35,226 |
| Step 4 | $175,350 | $6,744.23 | $84.02 | +$36,327 |
| Step 5 | $180,664 | $6,948.62 | $86.57 | +$37,428 |
| Step 6 | $185,977 | $7,152.96 | $89.11 | +$38,528 |
| Step 7 | $191,291 | $7,357.35 | $91.66 | +$39,629 |
| Step 8 | $196,605 | $7,561.73 | $94.20 | +$40,730 |
| 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 Portland
Each step below already includes the 26.13% 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 | $159,408 | $6,131.08 | $76.38 | +$33,024 |
| Step 2 | $164,722 | $6,335.46 | $78.93 | +$34,125 |
| Step 3 | $170,036 | $6,539.85 | $81.47 | +$35,226 |
| Step 4 | $175,350 | $6,744.23 | $84.02 | +$36,327 |
| Step 5 | $180,664 | $6,948.62 | $86.57 | +$37,428 |
| Step 6 | $185,977 | $7,152.96 | $89.11 | +$38,528 |
| Step 7 | $191,291 | $7,357.35 | $91.66 | +$39,629 |
| Step 8 | $196,605 | $7,561.73 | $94.20 | +$40,730 |
| 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 Portland pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Portland: 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 Portland pay area adds a 26.13% 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 Portland
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Portland earns roughly $6,131 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 Portland
GS-15 in Portland questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Portland?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Portland earns $159,408 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 26.13% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Portland?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Portland in 2026, it is 26.13%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $33,024 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Portland?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Portland earns roughly $6,131 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.