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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$136,247 GS-15 Step 1 in Columbus (2022)
$176,300 GS-15 Step 10 in Columbus (2022)
+$23,357 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Columbus

Each step below already includes the 20.69% 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 $136,247 $5,240.27 $65.28 +$23,357
Step 2 $140,789 $5,414.96 $67.46 +$24,136
Step 3 $145,330 $5,589.62 $69.64 +$24,914
Step 4 $149,872 $5,764.31 $71.81 +$25,693
Step 5 $154,413 $5,938.96 $73.99 +$26,471
Step 6 $158,955 $6,113.65 $76.16 +$27,250
Step 7 $163,496 $6,288.31 $78.34 +$28,028
Step 8 $168,038 $6,463.00 $80.52 +$28,807
Step 9 $172,579 $6,637.65 $82.69 +$29,585
Step 10 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$29,543
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Columbus pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Columbus GS-15 Step 1 $136,247
  • Locality add-on +$23,357
  • Adjustment percent 20.69%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Columbus 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 Columbus: 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 Columbus pay area adds a 20.69% 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 Columbus

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $5,240 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 Columbus page.

Other grades in Columbus

GS-15 in Columbus questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Columbus?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $136,247 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 20.69% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Columbus?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2022, it is 20.69%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,357 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Columbus?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $5,240 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.