An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$124,106 GS-15 Step 1 in CLEVELAND (2017)
$161,340 GS-15 Step 10 in CLEVELAND (2017)
+$20,434 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-15 pay table for CLEVELAND

Each step below already includes the 19.71% 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 $124,106 $4,773.31 $59.47 +$20,434
Step 2 $128,243 $4,932.42 $61.45 +$21,115
Step 3 $132,380 $5,091.54 $63.43 +$21,796
Step 4 $136,517 $5,250.65 $65.41 +$22,477
Step 5 $140,654 $5,409.77 $67.40 +$23,158
Step 6 $144,792 $5,568.92 $69.38 +$23,840
Step 7 $148,929 $5,728.04 $71.36 +$24,521
Step 8 $153,066 $5,887.15 $73.34 +$25,202
Step 9 $157,203 $6,046.27 $75.32 +$25,883
Step 10 $161,340 $6,205.38 $77.31 +$26,564
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CLEVELAND pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $103,672
  • CLEVELAND GS-15 Step 1 $124,106
  • Locality add-on +$20,434
  • Adjustment percent 19.71%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $134,776
  • CLEVELAND GS-15 Step 10 $161,340

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 CLEVELAND: 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 2017, the CLEVELAND pay area adds a 19.71% 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 CLEVELAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $4,773 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,205. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 CLEVELAND page.

Other grades in CLEVELAND

GS-15 in CLEVELAND questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in CLEVELAND?
    In 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns $124,106 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,340. This is 19.71% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in CLEVELAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CLEVELAND in 2017, it is 19.71%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,434 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CLEVELAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $4,773 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.