2026 GS-15 Pay in Richmond
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Richmond, VA earn 22.28% 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 $154,542 in Richmond.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Richmond
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Richmond, VA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $154,542 | $5,943.92 | $74.05 | +$28,158 |
| Step 2 | $159,694 | $6,142.08 | $76.52 | +$29,097 |
| Step 3 | $164,846 | $6,340.23 | $78.99 | +$30,036 |
| Step 4 | $169,997 | $6,538.35 | $81.46 | +$30,974 |
| Step 5 | $175,149 | $6,736.50 | $83.92 | +$31,913 |
| Step 6 | $180,301 | $6,934.65 | $86.39 | +$32,852 |
| Step 7 | $185,452 | $7,132.77 | $88.86 | +$33,790 |
| Step 8 | $190,604 | $7,330.92 | $91.33 | +$34,729 |
| Step 9 | $195,756 | $7,529.08 | $93.80 | +$35,668 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Richmond
Each step below already includes the 22.28% 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 | $154,542 | $5,943.92 | $74.05 | +$28,158 |
| Step 2 | $159,694 | $6,142.08 | $76.52 | +$29,097 |
| Step 3 | $164,846 | $6,340.23 | $78.99 | +$30,036 |
| Step 4 | $169,997 | $6,538.35 | $81.46 | +$30,974 |
| Step 5 | $175,149 | $6,736.50 | $83.92 | +$31,913 |
| Step 6 | $180,301 | $6,934.65 | $86.39 | +$32,852 |
| Step 7 | $185,452 | $7,132.77 | $88.86 | +$33,790 |
| Step 8 | $190,604 | $7,330.92 | $91.33 | +$34,729 |
| Step 9 | $195,756 | $7,529.08 | $93.80 | +$35,668 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Richmond pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Richmond: 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 Richmond pay area adds a 22.28% 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 Richmond
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $5,944 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 Richmond
GS-15 in Richmond questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Richmond?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns $154,542 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 22.28% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Richmond?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Richmond in 2026, it is 22.28%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,158 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Richmond?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Richmond earns roughly $5,944 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.