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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$132,136 GS-15 Step 1 in CLEVELAND (2020)
$170,800 GS-15 Step 10 in CLEVELAND (2020)
+$22,770 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for CLEVELAND

Each step below already includes the 20.82% 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 $132,136 $5,082.15 $63.31 +$22,770
Step 2 $136,541 $5,251.58 $65.42 +$23,529
Step 3 $140,946 $5,421.00 $67.54 +$24,288
Step 4 $145,351 $5,590.42 $69.65 +$25,047
Step 5 $149,756 $5,759.85 $71.76 +$25,806
Step 6 $154,161 $5,929.27 $73.87 +$26,565
Step 7 $158,567 $6,098.73 $75.98 +$27,325
Step 8 $162,972 $6,268.15 $78.09 +$28,084
Step 9 $167,377 $6,437.58 $80.20 +$28,843
Step 10 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$28,620
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CLEVELAND pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • CLEVELAND GS-15 Step 1 $132,136
  • Locality add-on +$22,770
  • Adjustment percent 20.82%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • CLEVELAND 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 CLEVELAND: 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 CLEVELAND pay area adds a 20.82% 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 CLEVELAND

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $5,082 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 CLEVELAND page.

Other grades in CLEVELAND

GS-15 in CLEVELAND questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in CLEVELAND?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns $132,136 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 20.82% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in CLEVELAND?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CLEVELAND in 2020, it is 20.82%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,770 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CLEVELAND?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CLEVELAND earns roughly $5,082 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.