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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$139,412 GS-15 Step 1 in Charlotte (2023)
$181,232 GS-15 Step 10 in Charlotte (2023)
+$21,894 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Charlotte

Each step below already includes the 18.63% 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 $139,412 $5,362.00 $66.80 +$21,894
Step 2 $144,058 $5,540.69 $69.03 +$22,623
Step 3 $148,705 $5,719.42 $71.25 +$23,353
Step 4 $153,352 $5,898.15 $73.48 +$24,083
Step 5 $157,999 $6,076.88 $75.71 +$24,813
Step 6 $162,645 $6,255.58 $77.93 +$25,542
Step 7 $167,292 $6,434.31 $80.16 +$26,272
Step 8 $171,939 $6,613.04 $82.39 +$27,002
Step 9 $176,586 $6,791.77 $84.61 +$27,732
Step 10 $181,232 $6,970.46 $86.84 +$28,461
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Charlotte pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Charlotte GS-15 Step 1 $139,412
  • Locality add-on +$21,894
  • Adjustment percent 18.63%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Charlotte GS-15 Step 10 $181,232

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 2023, the Charlotte pay area adds a 18.63% 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 $5,362 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,970. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 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 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Charlotte earns $139,412 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $181,232. This is 18.63% 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 2023, it is 18.63%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,894 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 $5,362 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.