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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$119,070 GS-15 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2015)
$154,794 GS-15 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2015)
+$17,440 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 17.16% 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 $119,070 $4,579.62 $57.05 +$17,440
Step 2 $123,039 $4,732.27 $58.95 +$18,021
Step 3 $127,008 $4,884.92 $60.86 +$18,602
Step 4 $130,978 $5,037.62 $62.76 +$19,184
Step 5 $134,947 $5,190.27 $64.66 +$19,765
Step 6 $138,917 $5,342.96 $66.56 +$20,347
Step 7 $142,886 $5,495.62 $68.46 +$20,928
Step 8 $146,855 $5,648.27 $70.37 +$21,509
Step 9 $150,825 $5,800.96 $72.27 +$22,091
Step 10 $154,794 $5,953.62 $74.17 +$22,672
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 1 $119,070
  • Locality add-on +$17,440
  • Adjustment percent 17.16%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 10 $154,794

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 COLUMBUS: 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 COLUMBUS pay area adds a 17.16% 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 COLUMBUS

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $4,580 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,954. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-15 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $119,070 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $154,794. This is 17.16% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in COLUMBUS?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For COLUMBUS in 2015, it is 17.16%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,440 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in COLUMBUS?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns roughly $4,580 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.