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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$114,872 GS-15 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2014)
$149,333 GS-15 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2014)
+$14,248 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-15 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 14.16% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $114,872 $4,418.15 $55.04 +$14,248
Step 2 $118,701 $4,565.42 $56.88 +$14,723
Step 3 $122,530 $4,712.69 $58.71 +$15,198
Step 4 $126,359 $4,859.96 $60.55 +$15,673
Step 5 $130,188 $5,007.23 $62.38 +$16,148
Step 6 $134,017 $5,154.50 $64.22 +$16,623
Step 7 $137,846 $5,301.77 $66.05 +$17,098
Step 8 $141,675 $5,449.04 $67.88 +$17,573
Step 9 $145,504 $5,596.31 $69.72 +$18,048
Step 10 $149,333 $5,743.58 $71.55 +$18,523
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $100,624
  • Rest of U.S. GS-15 Step 1 $114,872
  • Locality add-on +$14,248
  • Adjustment percent 14.16%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $130,810
  • Rest of U.S. GS-15 Step 10 $149,333

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-15 in Rest of U.S.: what to expect

Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.

For 2014, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 14.16% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.

Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).

The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $4,418 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,744. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2014 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-15 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2014, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $114,872 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $149,333. This is 14.16% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2014, it is 14.16%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,248 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $4,418 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.