GS-15 Pay Scale 2026
GS-15 base pay in 2026 runs from $126,384 at step 1 to $164,301 at step 10. With locality pay, step 1 ranges from $147,945 (Rest of U.S.) to $184,950 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA), and step 10 ranges from $192,331 (Rest of U.S.) to $197,200 (37 areas, limited by the cap).
Rates are OPM's 2026 tables (checked October 23, 2026). New to the table? See how to read the GS pay scale or use the GS pay calculator for your own grade, step and locality.
Maintained by Archie Chang · OPM tables checked October 23, 2026 · Methodology & sources
GS-15 pay by step
Base pay and the Rest of U.S. rate at each step, with hourly and biweekly pay and the wait for the next step.
| Step | Base pay | Base raise | Rest of U.S. annual | Hourly | Biweekly | Wait for next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $126,384 | $147,945 | $70.89 | $5,671.20 | 52 weeks | |
| Step 2 | $130,597 | +$4,213 | $152,877 | $73.25 | $5,860.00 | 52 weeks |
| Step 3 | $134,810 | +$4,213 | $157,809 | $75.62 | $6,049.60 | 52 weeks |
| Step 4 | $139,023 | +$4,213 | $162,740 | $77.98 | $6,238.40 | 104 weeks |
| Step 5 | $143,236 | +$4,213 | $167,672 | $80.34 | $6,427.20 | 104 weeks |
| Step 6 | $147,449 | +$4,213 | $172,604 | $82.70 | $6,616.00 | 104 weeks |
| Step 7 | $151,662 | +$4,213 | $177,536 | $85.07 | $6,805.60 | 156 weeks |
| Step 8 | $155,875 | +$4,213 | $182,467 | $87.43 | $6,994.40 | 156 weeks |
| Step 9 | $160,088 | +$4,213 | $187,399 | $89.79 | $7,183.20 | 156 weeks |
| Step 10 | $164,301 | +$4,213 | $192,331 | $92.16 | $7,372.80 | Top step |
GS-15 in numbers
- Base pay rises 30.0% from step 1 ($126,384) to step 10 ($164,301).
- 58 of 58 areas pay GS-15 $100,000 or more at step 1, and 58 at step 10.
- Moving from Rest of U.S. to San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA adds $37,005 at step 1 and $4,869 at step 10.
- The Executive Schedule level IV cap limits 95 GS-15 rates in 37 areas, starting at step 3 in San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA.
GS-15 pay range across localities
- Step 1: from $147,945 (Rest of U.S.) to $184,950 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA).
- Step 10: from $192,331 (Rest of U.S.) to $197,200 (37 areas, limited by the cap).
GS-15 pay by locality
Annual pay in all 58 locality pay areas, highest locality percentage first. An asterisk marks a rate limited to the $197,200 Executive Schedule level IV cap.
| Locality pay area | Locality % | Step 1 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | 46.34% | $184,950 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | 37.95% | $174,347 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | 36.47% | $172,476 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX | 35.00% | $170,618 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | 33.94% | $169,279 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 33.72% | $169,001 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT | 32.58% | $167,560 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| State of Alaska | 32.36% | $167,282 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA | 32.08% | $166,928 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | 31.57% | $166,283 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | 30.86% | $165,386 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | 30.52% | $164,956 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV | 29.76% | $163,996 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI | 29.12% | $163,187 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 28.99% | $163,023 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI | 27.62% | $161,291 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK | 27.26% | $160,836 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA | 26.13% | $159,408 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL | 24.67% | $157,563 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL | 23.79% | $156,451 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | 22.45% | $154,757 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI | 22.42% | $154,719 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY | 22.41% | $154,707 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Richmond, VA | 22.28% | $154,542 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC | 22.24% | $154,492 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | 22.23% | $154,479 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| State of Hawaii | 22.21% | $154,454 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH | 22.15% | $154,378 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN | 21.93% | $154,100 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN | 21.91% | $154,075 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Laredo, TX | 21.59% | $153,670 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH | 21.42% | $153,455 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV | 21.03% | $152,963 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA | 20.77% | $152,634 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX | 20.35% | $152,103 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 20.15% | $151,850 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL | 20.03% | $151,699 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC | 19.67% | $151,244 | $196,619 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ | 19.57% | $151,117 | $196,455 |
| Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT | 19.45% | $150,966 | $196,258 |
| Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | 19.43% | $150,940 | $196,225 |
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ | 19.28% | $150,751 | $195,978 |
| Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS | 18.97% | $150,359 | $195,469 |
| Davenport-Moline, IA-IL | 18.93% | $150,308 | $195,403 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC | 18.80% | $150,144 | $195,190 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX | 18.78% | $150,119 | $195,157 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM | 18.33% | $149,550 | $194,417 |
| Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL | 18.24% | $149,436 | $194,270 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA | 18.23% | $149,424 | $194,253 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN | 18.15% | $149,323 | $194,122 |
| Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA | 18.01% | $149,146 | $193,892 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 17.93% | $149,045 | $193,760 |
| Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY | 17.88% | $148,981 | $193,678 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID | 17.67% | $148,716 | $193,333 |
| Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA | 17.65% | $148,691 | $193,300 |
| Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX | 17.63% | $148,665 | $193,267 |
| Reno-Fernley, NV | 17.52% | $148,526 | $193,087 |
| Rest of U.S. | 17.06% | $147,945 | $192,331 |
Show all 10 steps for every area
| Locality pay area | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | $184,950 | $191,116 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | $174,347 | $180,159 | $185,970 | $191,782 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | $172,476 | $178,226 | $183,975 | $189,725 | $195,474 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Houston-The Woodlands, TX | $170,618 | $176,306 | $181,994 | $187,681 | $193,369 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | $169,279 | $174,922 | $180,565 | $186,207 | $191,850 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,001 | $174,634 | $180,268 | $185,902 | $191,535 | $197,169 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT | $167,560 | $173,146 | $178,731 | $184,317 | $189,902 | $195,488 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| State of Alaska | $167,282 | $172,858 | $178,435 | $184,011 | $189,587 | $195,163 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA | $166,928 | $172,493 | $178,057 | $183,622 | $189,186 | $194,751 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $166,283 | $171,826 | $177,370 | $182,913 | $188,456 | $193,999 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | $165,386 | $170,899 | $176,412 | $181,925 | $187,439 | $192,952 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | $164,956 | $170,455 | $175,954 | $181,453 | $186,952 | $192,450 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV | $163,996 | $169,463 | $174,929 | $180,396 | $185,863 | $191,330 | $196,797 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI | $163,187 | $168,627 | $174,067 | $179,506 | $184,946 | $190,386 | $195,826 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $163,023 | $168,457 | $173,891 | $179,326 | $184,760 | $190,194 | $195,629 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI | $161,291 | $166,668 | $172,045 | $177,421 | $182,798 | $188,174 | $193,551 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK | $160,836 | $166,198 | $171,559 | $176,921 | $182,282 | $187,644 | $193,005 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA | $159,408 | $164,722 | $170,036 | $175,350 | $180,664 | $185,977 | $191,291 | $196,605 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL | $157,563 | $162,815 | $168,068 | $173,320 | $178,572 | $183,825 | $189,077 | $194,329 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL | $156,451 | $161,666 | $166,881 | $172,097 | $177,312 | $182,527 | $187,742 | $192,958 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | $154,757 | $159,916 | $165,075 | $170,234 | $175,392 | $180,551 | $185,710 | $190,869 | $196,028 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI | $154,719 | $159,877 | $165,034 | $170,192 | $175,350 | $180,507 | $185,665 | $190,822 | $195,980 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY | $154,707 | $159,864 | $165,021 | $170,178 | $175,335 | $180,492 | $185,649 | $190,807 | $195,964 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Richmond, VA | $154,542 | $159,694 | $164,846 | $169,997 | $175,149 | $180,301 | $185,452 | $190,604 | $195,756 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC | $154,492 | $159,642 | $164,792 | $169,942 | $175,092 | $180,242 | $185,392 | $190,542 | $195,692 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA | $154,479 | $159,629 | $164,778 | $169,928 | $175,077 | $180,227 | $185,376 | $190,526 | $195,676 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| State of Hawaii | $154,454 | $159,603 | $164,751 | $169,900 | $175,049 | $180,197 | $185,346 | $190,495 | $195,644 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH | $154,378 | $159,524 | $164,670 | $169,817 | $174,963 | $180,109 | $185,255 | $190,401 | $195,547 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN | $154,100 | $159,237 | $164,374 | $169,511 | $174,648 | $179,785 | $184,921 | $190,058 | $195,195 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN | $154,075 | $159,211 | $164,347 | $169,483 | $174,619 | $179,755 | $184,891 | $190,027 | $195,163 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Laredo, TX | $153,670 | $158,793 | $163,915 | $169,038 | $174,161 | $179,283 | $184,406 | $189,528 | $194,651 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH | $153,455 | $158,571 | $163,686 | $168,802 | $173,917 | $179,033 | $184,148 | $189,263 | $194,379 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV | $152,963 | $158,062 | $163,161 | $168,260 | $173,359 | $178,458 | $183,557 | $188,656 | $193,755 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA | $152,634 | $157,722 | $162,810 | $167,898 | $172,986 | $178,074 | $183,162 | $188,250 | $193,338 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX | $152,103 | $157,173 | $162,244 | $167,314 | $172,385 | $177,455 | $182,525 | $187,596 | $192,666 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $151,850 | $156,912 | $161,974 | $167,036 | $172,098 | $177,160 | $182,222 | $187,284 | $192,346 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL | $151,699 | $156,756 | $161,812 | $166,869 | $171,926 | $176,983 | $182,040 | $187,097 | $192,154 | $197,200* (limited to the EX-IV cap) |
| Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC | $151,244 | $156,285 | $161,327 | $166,369 | $171,411 | $176,452 | $181,494 | $186,536 | $191,577 | $196,619 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ | $151,117 | $156,155 | $161,192 | $166,230 | $171,267 | $176,305 | $181,342 | $186,380 | $191,417 | $196,455 |
| Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT | $150,966 | $155,998 | $161,031 | $166,063 | $171,095 | $176,128 | $181,160 | $186,193 | $191,225 | $196,258 |
| Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | $150,940 | $155,972 | $161,004 | $166,035 | $171,067 | $176,098 | $181,130 | $186,162 | $191,193 | $196,225 |
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ | $150,751 | $155,776 | $160,801 | $165,827 | $170,852 | $175,877 | $180,902 | $185,928 | $190,953 | $195,978 |
| Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS | $150,359 | $155,371 | $160,383 | $165,396 | $170,408 | $175,420 | $180,432 | $185,444 | $190,457 | $195,469 |
| Davenport-Moline, IA-IL | $150,308 | $155,319 | $160,330 | $165,340 | $170,351 | $175,361 | $180,372 | $185,382 | $190,393 | $195,403 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC | $150,144 | $155,149 | $160,154 | $165,159 | $170,164 | $175,169 | $180,174 | $185,180 | $190,185 | $195,190 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels-Pearsall, TX | $150,119 | $155,123 | $160,127 | $165,132 | $170,136 | $175,140 | $180,144 | $185,148 | $190,153 | $195,157 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM | $149,550 | $154,535 | $159,521 | $164,506 | $169,491 | $174,476 | $179,462 | $184,447 | $189,432 | $194,417 |
| Birmingham-Hoover-Talladega, AL | $149,436 | $154,418 | $159,399 | $164,381 | $169,362 | $174,344 | $179,325 | $184,307 | $189,288 | $194,270 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA | $149,424 | $154,405 | $159,386 | $164,367 | $169,348 | $174,329 | $179,310 | $184,291 | $189,272 | $194,253 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN | $149,323 | $154,300 | $159,278 | $164,256 | $169,233 | $174,211 | $179,189 | $184,166 | $189,144 | $194,122 |
| Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA | $149,146 | $154,118 | $159,089 | $164,061 | $169,033 | $174,005 | $178,976 | $183,948 | $188,920 | $193,892 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $149,045 | $154,013 | $158,981 | $163,950 | $168,918 | $173,887 | $178,855 | $183,823 | $188,792 | $193,760 |
| Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY | $148,981 | $153,948 | $158,914 | $163,880 | $168,847 | $173,813 | $178,779 | $183,745 | $188,712 | $193,678 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID | $148,716 | $153,673 | $158,631 | $163,588 | $168,546 | $173,503 | $178,461 | $183,418 | $188,376 | $193,333 |
| Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA | $148,691 | $153,647 | $158,604 | $163,561 | $168,517 | $173,474 | $178,430 | $183,387 | $188,344 | $193,300 |
| Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX | $148,665 | $153,621 | $158,577 | $163,533 | $168,489 | $173,444 | $178,400 | $183,356 | $188,312 | $193,267 |
| Reno-Fernley, NV | $148,526 | $153,478 | $158,429 | $163,380 | $168,331 | $173,282 | $178,233 | $183,184 | $188,135 | $193,087 |
| Rest of U.S. | $147,945 | $152,877 | $157,809 | $162,740 | $167,672 | $172,604 | $177,536 | $182,467 | $187,399 | $192,331 |
The cap limits 95 GS-15 rates in 37 areas:
- San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA: steps 3 to 10
- New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA: steps 5 to 10
- Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA: steps 6 to 10
- Houston-The Woodlands, TX: steps 6 to 10
- Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA: steps 6 to 10
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: steps 7 to 10
- Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT: steps 7 to 10
- State of Alaska: steps 7 to 10
- Hartford-East Hartford, CT-MA: steps 7 to 10
- Seattle-Tacoma, WA: steps 7 to 10
- Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI: steps 7 to 10
- Denver-Aurora, CO: steps 7 to 10
- Sacramento-Roseville, CA-NV: steps 8 to 10
- Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI: steps 8 to 10
- Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD: steps 8 to 10
- Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI: steps 8 to 10
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK: steps 8 to 10
- Portland-Vancouver-Salem, OR-WA: steps 9 to 10
- Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL: steps 9 to 10
- Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL: steps 9 to 10
- Phoenix-Mesa, AZ: step 10
- Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI: step 10
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY: step 10
- Richmond, VA: step 10
- Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC: step 10
- Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA: step 10
- State of Hawaii: step 10
- Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH: step 10
- Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN: step 10
- Huntsville-Decatur, AL-TN: step 10
- Laredo, TX: step 10
- Dayton-Springfield-Kettering, OH: step 10
- Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV: step 10
- Albany-Schenectady, NY-MA: step 10
- Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX: step 10
- Colorado Springs, CO: step 10
- St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL: step 10
GS-15 hourly and biweekly pay
Hourly and biweekly rates for Rest of U.S., Washington and the largest metro areas, at the first and last step.
| Locality pay area | Step 1 hourly | Step 1 biweekly | Step 10 hourly | Step 10 biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of U.S. | $70.89 | $5,671.20 | $92.16 | $7,372.80 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA | $81.11 | $6,488.80 | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA | $83.54 | $6,683.20 | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | $82.64 | $6,611.20 | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI | $79.25 | $6,340.00 | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA | $88.62 | $7,089.60 | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
GS-15 step increases
Moving from step 1 to step 10 takes 936 weeks (18 years) if every increase is on time, and adds $44,386 a year in Rest of U.S. at 2026 rates. Waiting periods follow 5 CFR 531.405; the GS pay calculator dates your own next increase.
| Move | Wait | Total from step 1 | Base pay gain | Rest of U.S. gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 to 2 | 52 weeks | 52 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
| Step 2 to 3 | 52 weeks | 104 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
| Step 3 to 4 | 52 weeks | 156 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,931 |
| Step 4 to 5 | 104 weeks | 260 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
| Step 5 to 6 | 104 weeks | 364 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
| Step 6 to 7 | 104 weeks | 468 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
| Step 7 to 8 | 156 weeks | 624 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,931 |
| Step 8 to 9 | 156 weeks | 780 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
| Step 9 to 10 | 156 weeks | 936 weeks | +$4,213 | +$4,932 |
Promotion examples
Examples for a step 5 employee in Rest of U.S. under the two-step promotion rule. Your own result depends on your step, locality and pay history.
- Into GS-15: GS-14 step 5 in Rest of U.S. ($142,549) promoted to GS-15 lands at step 2 ($152,877), a raise of $10,328 a year.
GS-15 pay questions
How much does a GS-15 make in 2026?
GS-15 base pay is $126,384 at step 1 and $164,301 at step 10. In Rest of U.S. (17.06% locality) the rate is $147,945 to $192,331. Across the 58 locality areas, step 1 ranges from $147,945 (Rest of U.S.) to $184,950 (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA), and step 10 ranges from $192,331 (Rest of U.S.) to $197,200 (37 areas, limited by the cap).
How much does a GS-15 make in Washington, DC?
In Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (33.94% locality), GS-15 pay is $169,279 at step 1 and $197,200 at step 10, or $81.11 to $94.49 per hour. From step 6 the rate is limited to the $197,200 Executive Schedule level IV cap.
How much does a GS-15 make in San Francisco?
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA has the highest locality payment in 2026 (46.34%). GS-15 pay there is $184,950 at step 1 and $197,200 at step 10, or $88.62 to $94.49 per hour. From step 3 the rate is limited to the $197,200 Executive Schedule level IV cap.
How long does it take to go from GS-15 step 1 to step 10?
Going from GS-15 step 1 to step 10 takes 936 weeks, or 18 years, with three increases after 52 weeks, three after 104 weeks and three after 156 weeks. Base pay rises $4,213 at every step. In Rest of U.S., pay rises $44,386 a year over that time at 2026 rates ($147,945 to $192,331).
What is the GS-15 hourly rate in 2026?
In Rest of U.S., the GS-15 hourly rate is $70.89 at step 1 and $92.16 at step 10 (annual pay divided by 2,087). The biweekly rate is $5,671.20 to $7,372.80 before deductions. In Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA, step 1 is $81.11 per hour.
Will GS-15 pay go up in 2027?
The 2027 federal pay raise is not final and OPM has not published 2027 salary tables, so GS-15 rates on this page are 2026 only. Step increases are separate from the annual raise. See federal pay raise 2027 for the status.
Estimates for planning. Special rates, law enforcement rates and your agency's application of OPM rules can differ. Your SF-50 and your agency HR office are authoritative.
Authoritative sources: OPM 2026 General Schedule tables · OPM 2026 base table (PDF)