GS-15 Pay — Seattle-Tacoma (2026)
This page shows GS-15 pay in the Seattle-Tacoma locality pay area for 2026. The Seattle-Tacoma area adds 31.57% in locality pay on top of the GS-15 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $166,283 | $79.68 | $6,374.40 |
| Step 2 | $171,826 | $82.33 | $6,586.40 |
| Step 3 | $177,370 | $84.99 | $6,799.20 |
| Step 4 | $182,913 | $87.64 | $7,011.20 |
| Step 5 | $188,456 | $90.30 | $7,224.00 |
| Step 6 | $193,999 | $92.96 | $7,436.80 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| 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 |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA locality | 31.57% |
| Adjusted annual | $188,456 |
| Per month | $15,705 |
| Bi-weekly | $7,224.00 |
| Hourly | $90.30 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Seattle-Tacoma GS scale
- GS-15 in every locality
- GS-14 in Seattle-Tacoma
- 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 Seattle-Tacoma?
For 2026, GS-15 in Seattle-Tacoma ranges from $166,283 at the first step to $197,200 at the top step, with $188,456 near the middle.
How is Seattle-Tacoma locality pay calculated?
The GS-15 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Seattle-Tacoma locality percentage of 31.57%, 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 Seattle-Tacoma rate remained 31.57%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-15 figures for Seattle-Tacoma are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-SEA · effective January 11, 2026 · Seattle-Tacoma, WA, 31.57% 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.