2026 GS-15 Pay in Virginia Beach
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC earn 18.80% 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 $150,144 in Virginia Beach.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Virginia Beach
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $150,144 | $5,774.77 | $71.94 | +$23,760 |
| Step 2 | $155,149 | $5,967.27 | $74.34 | +$24,552 |
| Step 3 | $160,154 | $6,159.77 | $76.74 | +$25,344 |
| Step 4 | $165,159 | $6,352.27 | $79.14 | +$26,136 |
| Step 5 | $170,164 | $6,544.77 | $81.54 | +$26,928 |
| Step 6 | $175,169 | $6,737.27 | $83.93 | +$27,720 |
| Step 7 | $180,174 | $6,929.77 | $86.33 | +$28,512 |
| Step 8 | $185,180 | $7,122.31 | $88.73 | +$29,305 |
| Step 9 | $190,185 | $7,314.81 | $91.13 | +$30,097 |
| Step 10 | $195,190 | $7,507.31 | $93.53 | +$30,889 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Virginia Beach
Each step below already includes the 18.80% 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 | $150,144 | $5,774.77 | $71.94 | +$23,760 |
| Step 2 | $155,149 | $5,967.27 | $74.34 | +$24,552 |
| Step 3 | $160,154 | $6,159.77 | $76.74 | +$25,344 |
| Step 4 | $165,159 | $6,352.27 | $79.14 | +$26,136 |
| Step 5 | $170,164 | $6,544.77 | $81.54 | +$26,928 |
| Step 6 | $175,169 | $6,737.27 | $83.93 | +$27,720 |
| Step 7 | $180,174 | $6,929.77 | $86.33 | +$28,512 |
| Step 8 | $185,180 | $7,122.31 | $88.73 | +$29,305 |
| Step 9 | $190,185 | $7,314.81 | $91.13 | +$30,097 |
| Step 10 | $195,190 | $7,507.31 | $93.53 | +$30,889 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Virginia Beach pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Virginia Beach: 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 Virginia Beach pay area adds a 18.80% 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 Virginia Beach
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Virginia Beach earns roughly $5,775 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,507. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Virginia Beach
GS-15 in Virginia Beach questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Virginia Beach?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Virginia Beach earns $150,144 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,190. This is 18.80% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Virginia Beach?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Virginia Beach in 2026, it is 18.80%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,760 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Virginia Beach?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Virginia Beach earns roughly $5,775 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.