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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,439 GS-15 Step 1 in CHARLOTTE (2020)
$166,976 GS-15 Step 10 in CHARLOTTE (2020)
+$19,073 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for CHARLOTTE

Each step below already includes the 17.44% 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 $128,439 $4,939.96 $61.54 +$19,073
Step 2 $132,721 $5,104.65 $63.59 +$19,709
Step 3 $137,003 $5,269.35 $65.65 +$20,345
Step 4 $141,285 $5,434.04 $67.70 +$20,981
Step 5 $145,567 $5,598.73 $69.75 +$21,617
Step 6 $149,849 $5,763.42 $71.80 +$22,253
Step 7 $154,131 $5,928.12 $73.85 +$22,889
Step 8 $158,412 $6,092.77 $75.90 +$23,524
Step 9 $162,694 $6,257.46 $77.96 +$24,160
Step 10 $166,976 $6,422.15 $80.01 +$24,796
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHARLOTTE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • CHARLOTTE GS-15 Step 1 $128,439
  • Locality add-on +$19,073
  • Adjustment percent 17.44%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • CHARLOTTE GS-15 Step 10 $166,976

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 2020, the CHARLOTTE pay area adds a 17.44% 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 $4,940 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,422. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 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 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHARLOTTE earns $128,439 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,976. This is 17.44% 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 2020, it is 17.44%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,073 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 $4,940 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.