2026 GS-15 Pay in Raleigh
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC earn 22.24% 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 $154,492 in Raleigh.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Raleigh
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $154,492 | $5,942.00 | $74.03 | +$28,108 |
| Step 2 | $159,642 | $6,140.08 | $76.49 | +$29,045 |
| Step 3 | $164,792 | $6,338.15 | $78.96 | +$29,982 |
| Step 4 | $169,942 | $6,536.23 | $81.43 | +$30,919 |
| Step 5 | $175,092 | $6,734.31 | $83.90 | +$31,856 |
| Step 6 | $180,242 | $6,932.38 | $86.36 | +$32,793 |
| Step 7 | $185,392 | $7,130.46 | $88.83 | +$33,730 |
| Step 8 | $190,542 | $7,328.54 | $91.30 | +$34,667 |
| Step 9 | $195,692 | $7,526.62 | $93.77 | +$35,604 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Raleigh
Each step below already includes the 22.24% 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 | $154,492 | $5,942.00 | $74.03 | +$28,108 |
| Step 2 | $159,642 | $6,140.08 | $76.49 | +$29,045 |
| Step 3 | $164,792 | $6,338.15 | $78.96 | +$29,982 |
| Step 4 | $169,942 | $6,536.23 | $81.43 | +$30,919 |
| Step 5 | $175,092 | $6,734.31 | $83.90 | +$31,856 |
| Step 6 | $180,242 | $6,932.38 | $86.36 | +$32,793 |
| Step 7 | $185,392 | $7,130.46 | $88.83 | +$33,730 |
| Step 8 | $190,542 | $7,328.54 | $91.30 | +$34,667 |
| Step 9 | $195,692 | $7,526.62 | $93.77 | +$35,604 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Raleigh pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Raleigh: 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 Raleigh pay area adds a 22.24% 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 Raleigh
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $5,942 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 Raleigh
GS-15 in Raleigh questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Raleigh?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns $154,492 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 22.24% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Raleigh?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Raleigh in 2026, it is 22.24%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,108 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Raleigh?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Raleigh earns roughly $5,942 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.