I was happy to make GS 14 at 31. Now at 33 and it seems a 15 (even though I've been referred) is not going to happen anytime soon. I'm in a RUS area so not alot of 15's out here.

I got mine at 31.

It's easier for lawyers. I'm in a scientific agency and our PhDs can't get 15s unless they're senior managers with managers underneath them. DH works for an engineering agency and there's no path to GS15 for engineers unless you're a manager as well, but then you're not an engineer. DH is an engineer with 2 masters but there's not a job available that's above a GS 13 that allows you to continue actual engineering work. He is a manager, but of contractors, not feds. He's turned down quite a few GS14 jobs because of their lack of engineering. His coworkers often come back as contractors because contractors are paid significantly more for the same work.

Another DOJ 15 at age 32 here

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30 year old female who is SES here.

Political appointee? Or career?

Appointee. USDA

Anonymous wrote:I got my GS 14 at 27.

I could have been a 15 by 28 but don't want to be a manager

Pp poster here, also not an attorney, only a BS started as a fed 7 days after graduating college

I got my GS 14 at 27.

I could have been a 15 by 28 but don't want to be a manager

Kind of depends when you start with the government - it you start right out of school getting a GS-15 by 30 is not that uncommon. That said - I started as a fed in my 40s and I'll probably never be a 15. And honestly I don't really want to either when I see what the 15s at my agency have to deal with.

I've seen people inducted into SES at age 30. It's Buddy System abuse, plain and simple.

It is indeed pretty common at DOJ. I think I hit GS-15 in my early 30s.

A lot depends on luck—timing, favoritism, and the like. I’ve seen grizzled veterans of 55 finally make 15 and look like a weight lifted from their shoulders. Lately, due to unexpected vacancies, I’ve seen early 30s getting promotions to 15s. But the competition is fierce where a 15 isn’t part of the career ladder. And when I say fierce, I mean fierce.

I became a 15 last year at 31, DH almost two years ago at 33. We have two young kids, and plan on staying at 15s for a while. While I do see younger 15s, we're not lawyers and most of our GS-15 peers at our agencies are at least 10 years older than us.

Easy for attorneys to come in as 15s in my agency. I started as a 15-10 at age 42, but could have come in as a 15 any time in the 8 or so preceding years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who cares? GS-15 pay is chump change here in DC.

Yes, my spouse and I are maxed out 15s. Close to 330k combined, with four day a week telecommuting. #blessed.

That is real good money/work/life/combo.


I once read an analysis here a federal 125k salary is equivalent to 200k contracting job.

Anonymous wrote:30 year old female who is SES here.

Political appointee? Or career?