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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$122,163 GS-15 Step 1 in CHARLOTTE (2018)
$158,811 GS-15 Step 10 in CHARLOTTE (2018)
+$17,040 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 pay table for CHARLOTTE

Each step below already includes the 16.21% 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 $122,163 $4,698.58 $58.54 +$17,040
Step 2 $126,235 $4,855.19 $60.49 +$17,608
Step 3 $130,307 $5,011.81 $62.44 +$18,176
Step 4 $134,379 $5,168.42 $64.39 +$18,744
Step 5 $138,451 $5,325.04 $66.34 +$19,312
Step 6 $142,523 $5,481.65 $68.29 +$19,880
Step 7 $146,595 $5,638.27 $70.24 +$20,448
Step 8 $150,667 $5,794.88 $72.19 +$21,016
Step 9 $154,739 $5,951.50 $74.14 +$21,584
Step 10 $158,811 $6,108.12 $76.10 +$22,152
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHARLOTTE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • CHARLOTTE GS-15 Step 1 $122,163
  • Locality add-on +$17,040
  • Adjustment percent 16.21%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • CHARLOTTE GS-15 Step 10 $158,811

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 CHARLOTTE: 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 2018, the CHARLOTTE pay area adds a 16.21% 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 CHARLOTTE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns roughly $4,699 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,108. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 CHARLOTTE page.

Other grades in CHARLOTTE

GS-15 in CHARLOTTE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in CHARLOTTE?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns $122,163 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $158,811. This is 16.21% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in CHARLOTTE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHARLOTTE in 2018, it is 16.21%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,040 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CHARLOTTE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns roughly $4,699 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.