2026 GS-15 Pay in Sacramento
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV earn 29.76% 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 $163,996 in Sacramento.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Sacramento
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $163,996 | $6,307.54 | $78.58 | +$37,612 |
| Step 2 | $169,463 | $6,517.81 | $81.20 | +$38,866 |
| Step 3 | $174,929 | $6,728.04 | $83.82 | +$40,119 |
| Step 4 | $180,396 | $6,938.31 | $86.44 | +$41,373 |
| Step 5 | $185,863 | $7,148.58 | $89.06 | +$42,627 |
| Step 6 | $191,330 | $7,358.85 | $91.68 | +$43,881 |
| Step 7 | $196,797 | $7,569.12 | $94.30 | +$45,135 |
| 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 Sacramento
Each step below already includes the 29.76% 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 | $163,996 | $6,307.54 | $78.58 | +$37,612 |
| Step 2 | $169,463 | $6,517.81 | $81.20 | +$38,866 |
| Step 3 | $174,929 | $6,728.04 | $83.82 | +$40,119 |
| Step 4 | $180,396 | $6,938.31 | $86.44 | +$41,373 |
| Step 5 | $185,863 | $7,148.58 | $89.06 | +$42,627 |
| Step 6 | $191,330 | $7,358.85 | $91.68 | +$43,881 |
| Step 7 | $196,797 | $7,569.12 | $94.30 | +$45,135 |
| 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 Sacramento pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Sacramento: 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 Sacramento pay area adds a 29.76% 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 Sacramento
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $6,308 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 Sacramento
GS-15 in Sacramento questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Sacramento?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $163,996 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 29.76% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Sacramento?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Sacramento in 2026, it is 29.76%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $37,612 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Sacramento?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $6,308 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.