GS-15 Pay Scale 2026
Highest GS grade; agency-level executive, senior attorney, or nationally recognized expert. Base pay: $126,384 (Step 1) to $164,301 (Step 10) — see full table with all locality adjustments below.
GS-15 Pay at a Glance (2026)
Base Pay (Step 1)
$126,384
nationwide base
Base Pay (Step 10)
$164,301
nationwide base
DC Area (Step 5)
$191,850
33.94% locality
Pay Cap (EL-IV)
$197,200
2026 EL-IV limit
Who Works at GS-15?
GS-15 is the top of the General Schedule. Incumbents run major programs, serve as agency-level advisors, or are internationally recognized technical experts. In high-locality areas, GS-15 salaries at Steps 8–10 are capped at the Executive Schedule Level IV limit ($197,200 in 2026). GS-15 is the final step before the Senior Executive Service (SES).
Typical qualifications: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14. In practice, GS-15 selection is intensely competitive; candidates typically have 15+ years of progressive federal experience and demonstrable agency-wide impact.
Common job titles:
Office Director / Deputy DirectorChief Counsel / Associate General CounselChief Information Officer (smaller agency)Senior Executive Service candidateScientific Program Director (NIH, NSF)Senior Intelligence Analyst (SES-equivalent)
2026 GS-15 Base Pay — All Steps
Base pay before any locality adjustment. Your total pay = base × (1 + locality%). Source: OPM General Schedule 2026, effective January 11, 2026.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-15 | $126,384 | $130,597 | $134,810 | $139,023 | $143,236 | $147,449 | $151,662 | $155,875 | $160,088 | $164,301 |
Step 1–3 increments occur after 1 year. Steps 4–6 after 2 years. Steps 7–10 after 3 years. All increases require a satisfactory (or better) performance rating.
GS-15 Pay in Top 5 Localities (2026)
Total annual pay (base + locality) at Steps 1, 5, and 10. Note: Steps marked with * are capped at the Executive Schedule Level IV limit ($197,200).
| Locality Area | Locality % | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | +46.34% | $184,950 | $197,200 | $197,200* |
| New York, NY | +37.95% | $174,347 | $197,200 | $197,200* |
| Los Angeles, CA | +36.47% | $172,476 | $195,474 | $197,200* |
| Houston, TX | +35.00% | $170,618 | $193,369 | $197,200* |
| Washington, DC | +33.94% | $169,279 | $191,850 | $197,200* |
FedTools 2026 analysis of OPM salary tables. All 49 locality areas available in the calculator below.
Promotion Context
Previous grade (DC)
GS-14 Step 10
$187,093
Current grade (DC)
GS-15 Step 1 → Step 10
$169,279 → $197,200
Promotions above GS-12 are competitive and not automatic. Within-grade step increases require satisfactory performance ratings and time-in-grade.
Calculate Your GS-15 Salary
Select your step and locality to see your exact pay breakdown — including biweekly paycheck, TSP impact, and what-if raise scenarios.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+33.94%)
$50,044
Total Annual
$197,200*
* Capped at Executive Level IV
Biweekly
$7,585
Hourly: $94.49
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 60 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS-15 Pay
What is the GS-15 pay range in 2026?
The GS-15 base pay range in 2026 is $126,384 (Step 1) to $164,301 (Step 10), before locality pay is added. With the lowest locality adjustment (Rest of U.S., 17.06%), total pay ranges from $147,945 to $192,331. In the Washington, DC area (33.94% locality), GS-15 earns $169,279 (Step 1) to $197,200 (Step 10).
How long does it take to advance from GS-15 Step 1 to Step 10?
Advancement through the 10 steps at GS-15 takes approximately 18 years with satisfactory performance ratings. Steps 1–3 require 1 year each (3 years total), Steps 4–6 require 2 years each (6 years total), and Steps 7–10 require 3 years each (12 years total), for a total of 18 years from Step 1 to Step 10.
What are the typical qualifications for a GS-15 position?
1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14. In practice, GS-15 selection is intensely competitive; candidates typically have 15+ years of progressive federal experience and demonstrable agency-wide impact.
How does locality pay affect GS-15 salaries?
GS-15 salaries vary significantly by location. The 2026 locality multiplier ranges from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose–San Francisco, CA). At Step 5, GS-15 total pay ranges from $167,672 (Rest of U.S.) to $197,200 (San Jose, CA) — a difference of $29,528.
Which GS-15 steps are capped by the Executive Schedule pay limit?
In 2026, the Executive Schedule Level IV cap is $197,200. In the highest-paying localities (San Jose, New York, Los Angeles), GS-15 salaries hit this cap starting at Step 8 or earlier. In the DC area (33.94% locality), GS-15 Step 10 is capped. Use the calculator below to check whether your specific locality and step is affected.