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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,532 GS-15 Step 1 in MILWAUKEE (2019)
$166,500 GS-15 Step 10 in MILWAUKEE (2019)
+$21,937 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 pay table for MILWAUKEE

Each step below already includes the 20.58% 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 $128,532 $4,943.54 $61.59 +$21,937
Step 2 $132,816 $5,108.31 $63.64 +$22,668
Step 3 $137,101 $5,273.12 $65.69 +$23,400
Step 4 $141,385 $5,437.88 $67.75 +$24,131
Step 5 $145,669 $5,602.65 $69.80 +$24,862
Step 6 $149,953 $5,767.42 $71.85 +$25,593
Step 7 $154,237 $5,932.19 $73.90 +$26,324
Step 8 $158,522 $6,097.00 $75.96 +$27,056
Step 9 $162,806 $6,261.77 $78.01 +$27,787
Step 10 $166,500 $6,403.85 $79.78 +$27,928
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more MILWAUKEE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • MILWAUKEE GS-15 Step 1 $128,532
  • Locality add-on +$21,937
  • Adjustment percent 20.58%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • MILWAUKEE 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 MILWAUKEE: 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 MILWAUKEE pay area adds a 20.58% 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 MILWAUKEE

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in MILWAUKEE earns roughly $4,944 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 MILWAUKEE page.

Other grades in MILWAUKEE

GS-15 in MILWAUKEE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in MILWAUKEE?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in MILWAUKEE earns $128,532 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 20.58% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in MILWAUKEE?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For MILWAUKEE in 2019, it is 20.58%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,937 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in MILWAUKEE?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in MILWAUKEE earns roughly $4,944 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.