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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,138 GS-15 Step 1 in CINCINNATI (2019)
$166,500 GS-15 Step 10 in CINCINNATI (2019)
+$21,543 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for CINCINNATI

Each step below already includes the 20.21% 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 $128,138 $4,928.38 $61.40 +$21,543
Step 2 $132,409 $5,092.65 $63.44 +$22,261
Step 3 $136,680 $5,256.92 $65.49 +$22,979
Step 4 $140,951 $5,421.19 $67.54 +$23,697
Step 5 $145,222 $5,585.46 $69.58 +$24,415
Step 6 $149,493 $5,749.73 $71.63 +$25,133
Step 7 $153,764 $5,914.00 $73.68 +$25,851
Step 8 $158,035 $6,078.27 $75.72 +$26,569
Step 9 $162,306 $6,242.54 $77.77 +$27,287
Step 10 $166,500 $6,403.85 $79.78 +$27,928
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CINCINNATI pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • CINCINNATI GS-15 Step 1 $128,138
  • Locality add-on +$21,543
  • Adjustment percent 20.21%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • CINCINNATI GS-15 Step 10 $166,500

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 CINCINNATI: 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 2019, the CINCINNATI pay area adds a 20.21% 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 CINCINNATI

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $4,928 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 CINCINNATI page.

Other grades in CINCINNATI

GS-15 in CINCINNATI questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in CINCINNATI?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns $128,138 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 20.21% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in CINCINNATI?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CINCINNATI in 2019, it is 20.21%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,543 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CINCINNATI?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns roughly $4,928 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.