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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$120,482 GS-15 Step 1 in CINCINNATI (2015)
$156,631 GS-15 Step 10 in CINCINNATI (2015)
+$18,852 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 pay table for CINCINNATI

Each step below already includes the 18.55% 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 $120,482 $4,633.92 $57.73 +$18,852
Step 2 $124,499 $4,788.42 $59.65 +$19,481
Step 3 $128,515 $4,942.88 $61.58 +$20,109
Step 4 $132,532 $5,097.38 $63.50 +$20,738
Step 5 $136,548 $5,251.85 $65.43 +$21,366
Step 6 $140,565 $5,406.35 $67.35 +$21,995
Step 7 $144,581 $5,560.81 $69.28 +$22,623
Step 8 $148,598 $5,715.31 $71.20 +$23,252
Step 9 $152,614 $5,869.77 $73.13 +$23,880
Step 10 $156,631 $6,024.27 $75.05 +$24,509
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CINCINNATI pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • CINCINNATI GS-15 Step 1 $120,482
  • Locality add-on +$18,852
  • Adjustment percent 18.55%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • CINCINNATI GS-15 Step 10 $156,631

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 CINCINNATI: 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 2015, the CINCINNATI pay area adds a 18.55% 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 CINCINNATI

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $4,634 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,024. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 CINCINNATI page.

Other grades in CINCINNATI

GS-15 in CINCINNATI questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in CINCINNATI?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns $120,482 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $156,631. This is 18.55% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in CINCINNATI?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CINCINNATI in 2015, it is 18.55%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,852 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CINCINNATI?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $4,634 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.