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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$133,278 GS-15 Step 1 in Charlotte (2022)
$173,261 GS-15 Step 10 in Charlotte (2022)
+$20,388 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Charlotte

Each step below already includes the 18.06% 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 $133,278 $5,126.08 $63.86 +$20,388
Step 2 $137,721 $5,296.96 $65.99 +$21,068
Step 3 $142,163 $5,467.81 $68.12 +$21,747
Step 4 $146,606 $5,638.69 $70.25 +$22,427
Step 5 $151,048 $5,809.54 $72.38 +$23,106
Step 6 $155,491 $5,980.42 $74.50 +$23,786
Step 7 $159,934 $6,151.31 $76.63 +$24,466
Step 8 $164,376 $6,322.15 $78.76 +$25,145
Step 9 $168,819 $6,493.04 $80.89 +$25,825
Step 10 $173,261 $6,663.88 $83.02 +$26,504
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Charlotte pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Charlotte GS-15 Step 1 $133,278
  • Locality add-on +$20,388
  • Adjustment percent 18.06%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Charlotte GS-15 Step 10 $173,261

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 Charlotte: 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 2022, the Charlotte pay area adds a 18.06% 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 Charlotte

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns roughly $5,126 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,664. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Charlotte page.

Other grades in Charlotte

GS-15 in Charlotte questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Charlotte?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns $133,278 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $173,261. This is 18.06% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Charlotte?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Charlotte in 2022, it is 18.06%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,388 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Charlotte?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns roughly $5,126 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.