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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$136,529 GS-15 Step 1 in Cincinnati (2022)
$176,300 GS-15 Step 10 in Cincinnati (2022)
+$23,639 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Cincinnati

Each step below already includes the 20.94% 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 $136,529 $5,251.12 $65.42 +$23,639
Step 2 $141,080 $5,426.15 $67.60 +$24,427
Step 3 $145,631 $5,601.19 $69.78 +$25,215
Step 4 $150,182 $5,776.23 $71.96 +$26,003
Step 5 $154,733 $5,951.27 $74.14 +$26,791
Step 6 $159,284 $6,126.31 $76.32 +$27,579
Step 7 $163,835 $6,301.35 $78.50 +$28,367
Step 8 $168,386 $6,476.38 $80.68 +$29,155
Step 9 $172,937 $6,651.42 $82.86 +$29,943
Step 10 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$29,543
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cincinnati pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Cincinnati GS-15 Step 1 $136,529
  • Locality add-on +$23,639
  • Adjustment percent 20.94%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Cincinnati GS-15 Step 10 $176,300

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 Cincinnati: 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 Cincinnati pay area adds a 20.94% 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 Cincinnati

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $5,251 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. 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 Cincinnati page.

Other grades in Cincinnati

GS-15 in Cincinnati questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Cincinnati?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns $136,529 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 20.94% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Cincinnati?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cincinnati in 2022, it is 20.94%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,639 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Cincinnati?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $5,251 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.