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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$125,065 GS-15 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2018)
$162,583 GS-15 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2018)
+$19,942 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 18.97% 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 $125,065 $4,810.19 $59.93 +$19,942
Step 2 $129,234 $4,970.54 $61.92 +$20,607
Step 3 $133,402 $5,130.85 $63.92 +$21,271
Step 4 $137,571 $5,291.19 $65.92 +$21,936
Step 5 $141,740 $5,451.54 $67.92 +$22,601
Step 6 $145,908 $5,611.85 $69.91 +$23,265
Step 7 $150,077 $5,772.19 $71.91 +$23,930
Step 8 $154,246 $5,932.54 $73.91 +$24,595
Step 9 $158,415 $6,092.88 $75.91 +$25,260
Step 10 $162,583 $6,253.19 $77.90 +$25,924
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 1 $125,065
  • Locality add-on +$19,942
  • Adjustment percent 18.97%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 10 $162,583

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 2018, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 18.97% 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 $4,810 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,253. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-15 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $125,065 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $162,583. This is 18.97% 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 2018, it is 18.97%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,942 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 $4,810 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.