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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$127,349 GS-15 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2019)
$165,552 GS-15 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2019)
+$20,754 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 19.47% 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 $127,349 $4,898.04 $61.02 +$20,754
Step 2 $131,594 $5,061.31 $63.05 +$21,446
Step 3 $135,839 $5,224.58 $65.09 +$22,138
Step 4 $140,083 $5,387.81 $67.12 +$22,829
Step 5 $144,328 $5,551.08 $69.16 +$23,521
Step 6 $148,573 $5,714.35 $71.19 +$24,213
Step 7 $152,818 $5,877.62 $73.22 +$24,905
Step 8 $157,062 $6,040.85 $75.26 +$25,596
Step 9 $161,307 $6,204.12 $77.29 +$26,288
Step 10 $165,552 $6,367.38 $79.33 +$26,980
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 1 $127,349
  • Locality add-on +$20,754
  • Adjustment percent 19.47%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 10 $165,552

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 2019, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 19.47% 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 $4,898 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,367. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-15 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $127,349 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $165,552. This is 19.47% 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 2019, it is 19.47%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,754 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 $4,898 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.