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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$144,341 GS-15 Step 1 in Detroit (2022)
$176,300 GS-15 Step 10 in Detroit (2022)
+$31,451 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-15 pay table for Detroit

Each step below already includes the 27.86% 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 $144,341 $5,551.58 $69.16 +$31,451
Step 2 $149,153 $5,736.65 $71.47 +$32,500
Step 3 $153,964 $5,921.69 $73.77 +$33,548
Step 4 $158,775 $6,106.73 $76.08 +$34,596
Step 5 $163,587 $6,291.81 $78.38 +$35,645
Step 6 $168,398 $6,476.85 $80.69 +$36,693
Step 7 $173,209 $6,661.88 $82.99 +$37,741
Step 8 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$37,069
Step 9 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$33,306
Step 10 $176,300 $6,780.77 $84.48 +$29,543
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Detroit pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $112,890
  • Detroit GS-15 Step 1 $144,341
  • Locality add-on +$31,451
  • Adjustment percent 27.86%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $146,757
  • Detroit 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 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 2022, the Detroit pay area adds a 27.86% 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 $5,552 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 Detroit page.

Other grades in Detroit

GS-15 in Detroit questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Detroit?
    In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns $144,341 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 27.86% 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 2022, it is 27.86%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $31,451 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 $5,552 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.