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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$122,841 GS-15 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2017)
$159,696 GS-15 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2017)
+$19,169 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-15 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 18.49% 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 $122,841 $4,724.65 $58.86 +$19,169
Step 2 $126,936 $4,882.15 $60.82 +$19,808
Step 3 $131,031 $5,039.65 $62.78 +$20,447
Step 4 $135,126 $5,197.15 $64.75 +$21,086
Step 5 $139,221 $5,354.65 $66.71 +$21,725
Step 6 $143,316 $5,512.15 $68.67 +$22,364
Step 7 $147,411 $5,669.65 $70.63 +$23,003
Step 8 $151,506 $5,827.15 $72.60 +$23,642
Step 9 $155,601 $5,984.65 $74.56 +$24,281
Step 10 $159,696 $6,142.15 $76.52 +$24,920
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $103,672
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 1 $122,841
  • Locality add-on +$19,169
  • Adjustment percent 18.49%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $134,776
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 10 $159,696

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 2017, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 18.49% 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 $4,725 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,142. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-15 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $122,841 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $159,696. This is 18.49% 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 2017, it is 18.49%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,169 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 $4,725 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.