2026 GS-15 Pay in Tucson
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Tucson-Nogales, AZ earn 19.28% 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 $150,751 in Tucson.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Tucson
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Tucson-Nogales, AZ.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $150,751 | $5,798.12 | $72.23 | +$24,367 |
| Step 2 | $155,776 | $5,991.38 | $74.64 | +$25,179 |
| Step 3 | $160,801 | $6,184.65 | $77.05 | +$25,991 |
| Step 4 | $165,827 | $6,377.96 | $79.46 | +$26,804 |
| Step 5 | $170,852 | $6,571.23 | $81.86 | +$27,616 |
| Step 6 | $175,877 | $6,764.50 | $84.27 | +$28,428 |
| Step 7 | $180,902 | $6,957.77 | $86.68 | +$29,240 |
| Step 8 | $185,928 | $7,151.08 | $89.09 | +$30,053 |
| Step 9 | $190,953 | $7,344.35 | $91.50 | +$30,865 |
| Step 10 | $195,978 | $7,537.62 | $93.90 | +$31,677 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Tucson
Each step below already includes the 19.28% 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 | $150,751 | $5,798.12 | $72.23 | +$24,367 |
| Step 2 | $155,776 | $5,991.38 | $74.64 | +$25,179 |
| Step 3 | $160,801 | $6,184.65 | $77.05 | +$25,991 |
| Step 4 | $165,827 | $6,377.96 | $79.46 | +$26,804 |
| Step 5 | $170,852 | $6,571.23 | $81.86 | +$27,616 |
| Step 6 | $175,877 | $6,764.50 | $84.27 | +$28,428 |
| Step 7 | $180,902 | $6,957.77 | $86.68 | +$29,240 |
| Step 8 | $185,928 | $7,151.08 | $89.09 | +$30,053 |
| Step 9 | $190,953 | $7,344.35 | $91.50 | +$30,865 |
| Step 10 | $195,978 | $7,537.62 | $93.90 | +$31,677 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Tucson pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Tucson: 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 Tucson pay area adds a 19.28% 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 Tucson
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $5,798 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,538. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Tucson
GS-15 in Tucson questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Tucson?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns $150,751 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,978. This is 19.28% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Tucson?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Tucson in 2026, it is 19.28%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,367 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Tucson?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Tucson earns roughly $5,798 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.