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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$132,289 GS-15 Step 1 in MILWAUKEE (2020)
$170,800 GS-15 Step 10 in MILWAUKEE (2020)
+$22,923 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for MILWAUKEE

Each step below already includes the 20.96% 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 $132,289 $5,088.04 $63.39 +$22,923
Step 2 $136,699 $5,257.65 $65.50 +$23,687
Step 3 $141,110 $5,427.31 $67.61 +$24,452
Step 4 $145,520 $5,596.92 $69.73 +$25,216
Step 5 $149,930 $5,766.54 $71.84 +$25,980
Step 6 $154,340 $5,936.15 $73.95 +$26,744
Step 7 $158,750 $6,105.77 $76.07 +$27,508
Step 8 $163,161 $6,275.42 $78.18 +$28,273
Step 9 $167,571 $6,445.04 $80.29 +$29,037
Step 10 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$28,620
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more MILWAUKEE pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • MILWAUKEE GS-15 Step 1 $132,289
  • Locality add-on +$22,923
  • Adjustment percent 20.96%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • MILWAUKEE 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 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 2020, the MILWAUKEE pay area adds a 20.96% 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 $5,088 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 MILWAUKEE page.

Other grades in MILWAUKEE

GS-15 in MILWAUKEE questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in MILWAUKEE?
    In 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in MILWAUKEE earns $132,289 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 20.96% 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 2020, it is 20.96%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,923 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 $5,088 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.