GS-15 Pay by Step and Locality (2026)
Highest GS grade; agency-level executive, senior attorney, or nationally recognized expert. Base pay $126,384 (Step 1) to $164,301 (Step 10); every step for every locality below.
GS-15 pay at a glance (2026)
Nationwide base pay and representative locality-adjusted figures. For the full 2026 GS pay scale (all 15 grades), see the GS Pay Guide 2026.
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.
GS-15 pay by step (2026): all 10 steps
Base pay before any locality adjustment. Total pay = base × (1 + locality%).
| 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 |
Source: OPM General Schedule 2026, effective January 11, 2026. 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 salary by locality (2026): top 5 areas
Total annual pay (base + locality) at Steps 1, 5, and 10. Steps marked * 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 2026 locality areas available in the calculator below.
Promotion context
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.
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.