2016 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 14.35% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $102,646 on the base table to $117,376 in Rest of U.S..
2016 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Rest of U.S..
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $117,376 | $4,514.46 | $56.24 | +$14,730 |
| Step 2 | $121,289 | $4,664.96 | $58.12 | +$15,221 |
| Step 3 | $125,202 | $4,815.46 | $59.99 | +$15,712 |
| Step 4 | $129,115 | $4,965.96 | $61.87 | +$16,203 |
| Step 5 | $133,028 | $5,116.46 | $63.74 | +$16,694 |
| Step 6 | $136,941 | $5,266.96 | $65.62 | +$17,185 |
| Step 7 | $140,854 | $5,417.46 | $67.49 | +$17,676 |
| Step 8 | $144,767 | $5,567.96 | $69.37 | +$18,167 |
| Step 9 | $148,680 | $5,718.46 | $71.24 | +$18,658 |
| Step 10 | $152,593 | $5,868.96 | $73.12 | +$19,149 |
2016 GS-15 pay table for Rest of U.S.
Each step below already includes the 14.35% 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 | $117,376 | $4,514.46 | $56.24 | +$14,730 |
| Step 2 | $121,289 | $4,664.96 | $58.12 | +$15,221 |
| Step 3 | $125,202 | $4,815.46 | $59.99 | +$15,712 |
| Step 4 | $129,115 | $4,965.96 | $61.87 | +$16,203 |
| Step 5 | $133,028 | $5,116.46 | $63.74 | +$16,694 |
| Step 6 | $136,941 | $5,266.96 | $65.62 | +$17,185 |
| Step 7 | $140,854 | $5,417.46 | $67.49 | +$17,676 |
| Step 8 | $144,767 | $5,567.96 | $69.37 | +$18,167 |
| Step 9 | $148,680 | $5,718.46 | $71.24 | +$18,658 |
| Step 10 | $152,593 | $5,868.96 | $73.12 | +$19,149 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rest of U.S. pays
Step-increase waiting periods
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 2016, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 14.35% 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 $4,514 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,869. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2016 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
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How much does a GS-15 make in Rest of U.S.?
In 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $117,376 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $152,593. This is 14.35% 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 2016, it is 14.35%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,730 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 $4,514 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.