GS-15 Pay — Philadelphia-Reading (2026)
This page shows GS-15 pay in the Philadelphia-Reading locality pay area for 2026. The Philadelphia-Reading area adds 28.99% in locality pay on top of the GS-15 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $163,023 | $78.11 | $6,248.80 |
| Step 2 | $168,457 | $80.72 | $6,457.60 |
| Step 3 | $173,891 | $83.32 | $6,665.60 |
| Step 4 | $179,326 | $85.93 | $6,874.40 |
| Step 5 | $184,760 | $88.53 | $7,082.40 |
| Step 6 | $190,194 | $91.13 | $7,290.40 |
| Step 7 | $195,629 | $93.74 | $7,499.20 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
* Capped at Level IV of the Executive Schedule ($197,200 in 2026) — GS locality-adjusted pay cannot exceed the EX-IV cap (5 U.S.C. §5304(g)(1)).
Locality pay is calculated as the base rate multiplied by one plus the locality percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Check another grade, step or locality
| Base pay (before locality) | $143,236 |
| Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD locality | 28.99% |
| Adjusted annual | $184,760 |
| Per month | $15,397 |
| Bi-weekly | $7,082.40 |
| Hourly | $88.53 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Philadelphia-Reading GS scale
- GS-15 in every locality
- GS-14 in Philadelphia-Reading
- GS-15 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-15 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-15 in New York-Newark
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-15 make in Philadelphia-Reading?
For 2026, GS-15 in Philadelphia-Reading ranges from $163,023 at the first step to $197,200 at the top step, with $184,760 near the middle.
How is Philadelphia-Reading locality pay calculated?
The GS-15 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Philadelphia-Reading locality percentage of 28.99%, then rounded to the nearest dollar.
What is the 2026 raise?
For 2026, the across-the-board base rate rose while locality percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so the Philadelphia-Reading rate remained 28.99%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-15 figures for Philadelphia-Reading are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-PHL · effective January 11, 2026 · Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD, 28.99% locality. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.