2017 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 15.06% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $103,672 on the base table to $119,285 in Rest of U.S..
2017 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 | $119,285 | $4,587.88 | $57.16 | +$15,613 |
| Step 2 | $123,261 | $4,740.81 | $59.06 | +$16,133 |
| Step 3 | $127,238 | $4,893.77 | $60.97 | +$16,654 |
| Step 4 | $131,214 | $5,046.69 | $62.87 | +$17,174 |
| Step 5 | $135,191 | $5,199.65 | $64.78 | +$17,695 |
| Step 6 | $139,167 | $5,352.58 | $66.68 | +$18,215 |
| Step 7 | $143,144 | $5,505.54 | $68.59 | +$18,736 |
| Step 8 | $147,120 | $5,658.46 | $70.49 | +$19,256 |
| Step 9 | $151,097 | $5,811.42 | $72.40 | +$19,777 |
| Step 10 | $155,073 | $5,964.35 | $74.30 | +$20,297 |
2017 GS-15 pay table for Rest of U.S.
Each step below already includes the 15.06% 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 | $119,285 | $4,587.88 | $57.16 | +$15,613 |
| Step 2 | $123,261 | $4,740.81 | $59.06 | +$16,133 |
| Step 3 | $127,238 | $4,893.77 | $60.97 | +$16,654 |
| Step 4 | $131,214 | $5,046.69 | $62.87 | +$17,174 |
| Step 5 | $135,191 | $5,199.65 | $64.78 | +$17,695 |
| Step 6 | $139,167 | $5,352.58 | $66.68 | +$18,215 |
| Step 7 | $143,144 | $5,505.54 | $68.59 | +$18,736 |
| Step 8 | $147,120 | $5,658.46 | $70.49 | +$19,256 |
| Step 9 | $151,097 | $5,811.42 | $72.40 | +$19,777 |
| Step 10 | $155,073 | $5,964.35 | $74.30 | +$20,297 |
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 2017, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 15.06% 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 $4,588 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,964. 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 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 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $119,285 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $155,073. This is 15.06% 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 2017, it is 15.06%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,613 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 $4,588 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.