An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$140,638 GS-15 Step 1 in DETROIT (2021)
$172,500 GS-15 Step 10 in DETROIT (2021)
+$30,178 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-15 pay table for DETROIT

Each step below already includes the 27.32% 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 $140,638 $5,409.15 $67.39 +$30,178
Step 2 $145,326 $5,589.46 $69.63 +$31,184
Step 3 $150,014 $5,769.77 $71.88 +$32,190
Step 4 $154,701 $5,950.04 $74.13 +$33,195
Step 5 $159,389 $6,130.35 $76.37 +$34,201
Step 6 $164,077 $6,310.65 $78.62 +$35,207
Step 7 $168,765 $6,490.96 $80.86 +$36,213
Step 8 $172,500 $6,634.62 $82.65 +$36,266
Step 9 $172,500 $6,634.62 $82.65 +$32,584
Step 10 $172,500 $6,634.62 $82.65 +$28,902
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DETROIT pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $110,460
  • DETROIT GS-15 Step 1 $140,638
  • Locality add-on +$30,178
  • Adjustment percent 27.32%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $143,598
  • DETROIT GS-15 Step 10 $172,500

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 DETROIT: 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 2021, the DETROIT pay area adds a 27.32% 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 DETROIT

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $5,409 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,635. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 DETROIT page.

Other grades in DETROIT

GS-15 in DETROIT questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in DETROIT?
    In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns $140,638 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. This is 27.32% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in DETROIT?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DETROIT in 2021, it is 27.32%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $30,178 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in DETROIT?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in DETROIT earns roughly $5,409 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.