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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$136,879 GS-15 Step 1 in Cleveland (2022)
$176,300 GS-15 Step 10 in Cleveland (2022)
+$23,989 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Cleveland

Each step below already includes the 21.25% 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 $136,879 $5,264.58 $65.59 +$23,989
Step 2 $141,442 $5,440.08 $67.77 +$24,789
Step 3 $146,004 $5,615.54 $69.96 +$25,588
Step 4 $150,567 $5,791.04 $72.15 +$26,388
Step 5 $155,130 $5,966.54 $74.33 +$27,188
Step 6 $159,692 $6,142.00 $76.52 +$27,987
Step 7 $164,255 $6,317.50 $78.70 +$28,787
Step 8 $168,818 $6,493.00 $80.89 +$29,587
Step 9 $173,380 $6,668.46 $83.08 +$30,386
Step 10 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$29,543
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cleveland pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Cleveland GS-15 Step 1 $136,879
  • Locality add-on +$23,989
  • Adjustment percent 21.25%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Cleveland 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 Cleveland: 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 Cleveland pay area adds a 21.25% 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 Cleveland

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $5,265 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 Cleveland page.

Other grades in Cleveland

GS-15 in Cleveland questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Cleveland?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns $136,879 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 21.25% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Cleveland?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cleveland in 2022, it is 21.25%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,989 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Cleveland?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $5,265 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.