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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$139,964 GS-15 Step 1 in St. Louis (2023)
$181,950 GS-15 Step 10 in St. Louis (2023)
+$22,446 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-15 pay table for St. Louis

Each step below already includes the 19.10% 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 $139,964 $5,383.23 $67.06 +$22,446
Step 2 $144,629 $5,562.65 $69.30 +$23,194
Step 3 $149,294 $5,742.08 $71.54 +$23,942
Step 4 $153,959 $5,921.50 $73.77 +$24,690
Step 5 $158,625 $6,100.96 $76.01 +$25,439
Step 6 $163,290 $6,280.38 $78.24 +$26,187
Step 7 $167,955 $6,459.81 $80.48 +$26,935
Step 8 $172,620 $6,639.23 $82.71 +$27,683
Step 9 $177,285 $6,818.65 $84.95 +$28,431
Step 10 $181,950 $6,998.08 $87.18 +$29,179
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more St. Louis pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $117,518
  • St. Louis GS-15 Step 1 $139,964
  • Locality add-on +$22,446
  • Adjustment percent 19.10%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $152,771
  • St. Louis GS-15 Step 10 $181,950

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 St. Louis: 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 St. Louis pay area adds a 19.10% 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 St. Louis

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in St. Louis earns roughly $5,383 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,998. 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 St. Louis page.

Other grades in St. Louis

GS-15 in St. Louis questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in St. Louis?
    In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in St. Louis earns $139,964 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $181,950. This is 19.10% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in St. Louis?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For St. Louis in 2023, it is 19.10%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,446 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in St. Louis?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in St. Louis earns roughly $5,383 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.