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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$131,261 GS-15 Step 1 in COLUMBUS (2020)
$170,644 GS-15 Step 10 in COLUMBUS (2020)
+$21,895 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for COLUMBUS

Each step below already includes the 20.02% 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 $131,261 $5,048.50 $62.89 +$21,895
Step 2 $135,637 $5,216.81 $64.99 +$22,625
Step 3 $140,013 $5,385.12 $67.09 +$23,355
Step 4 $144,389 $5,553.42 $69.18 +$24,085
Step 5 $148,765 $5,721.73 $71.28 +$24,815
Step 6 $153,141 $5,890.04 $73.38 +$25,545
Step 7 $157,517 $6,058.35 $75.48 +$26,275
Step 8 $161,893 $6,226.65 $77.57 +$27,005
Step 9 $166,269 $6,394.96 $79.67 +$27,735
Step 10 $170,644 $6,563.23 $81.77 +$28,464
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more COLUMBUS pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 1 $131,261
  • Locality add-on +$21,895
  • Adjustment percent 20.02%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • COLUMBUS GS-15 Step 10 $170,644

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 2020, the COLUMBUS pay area adds a 20.02% 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 $5,049 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,563. 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 COLUMBUS page.

Other grades in COLUMBUS

GS-15 in COLUMBUS questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in COLUMBUS?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in COLUMBUS earns $131,261 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,644. This is 20.02% 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 2020, it is 20.02%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,895 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 $5,049 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.