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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$131,841 GS-15 Step 1 in CINCINNATI (2020)
$170,800 GS-15 Step 10 in CINCINNATI (2020)
+$22,475 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for CINCINNATI

Each step below already includes the 20.55% 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 $131,841 $5,070.81 $63.17 +$22,475
Step 2 $136,236 $5,239.85 $65.28 +$23,224
Step 3 $140,631 $5,408.88 $67.38 +$23,973
Step 4 $145,026 $5,577.92 $69.49 +$24,722
Step 5 $149,422 $5,747.00 $71.60 +$25,472
Step 6 $153,817 $5,916.04 $73.70 +$26,221
Step 7 $158,212 $6,085.08 $75.81 +$26,970
Step 8 $162,607 $6,254.12 $77.91 +$27,719
Step 9 $167,003 $6,423.19 $80.02 +$28,469
Step 10 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$28,620
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CINCINNATI pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • CINCINNATI GS-15 Step 1 $131,841
  • Locality add-on +$22,475
  • Adjustment percent 20.55%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • CINCINNATI GS-15 Step 10 $170,800

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 2020, the CINCINNATI pay area adds a 20.55% 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 $5,071 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,569. 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 CINCINNATI page.

Other grades in CINCINNATI

GS-15 in CINCINNATI questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in CINCINNATI?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CINCINNATI earns $131,841 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 20.55% 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 2020, it is 20.55%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,475 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 $5,071 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.