An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$143,066 GS-15 Step 1 in Milwaukee (2023)
$183,500 GS-15 Step 10 in Milwaukee (2023)
+$25,548 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for Milwaukee

Each step below already includes the 21.74% 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 $143,066 $5,502.54 $68.55 +$25,548
Step 2 $147,835 $5,685.96 $70.84 +$26,400
Step 3 $152,604 $5,869.38 $73.12 +$27,252
Step 4 $157,372 $6,052.77 $75.41 +$28,103
Step 5 $162,141 $6,236.19 $77.69 +$28,955
Step 6 $166,909 $6,419.58 $79.98 +$29,806
Step 7 $171,678 $6,603.00 $82.26 +$30,658
Step 8 $176,446 $6,786.38 $84.55 +$31,509
Step 9 $181,215 $6,969.81 $86.83 +$32,361
Step 10 $183,500 $7,057.69 $87.93 +$30,729
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Milwaukee pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • Milwaukee GS-15 Step 1 $143,066
  • Locality add-on +$25,548
  • Adjustment percent 21.74%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • Milwaukee GS-15 Step 10 $183,500

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 Milwaukee: 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 Milwaukee pay area adds a 21.74% 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 Milwaukee

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $5,503 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. 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 Milwaukee page.

Other grades in Milwaukee

GS-15 in Milwaukee questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Milwaukee?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns $143,066 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 21.74% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Milwaukee?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Milwaukee in 2023, it is 21.74%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,548 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Milwaukee?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $5,503 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.