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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$149,729 GS-15 Step 1 in Cincinnati (2024)
$191,900 GS-15 Step 10 in Cincinnati (2024)
+$26,688 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Cincinnati

Each step below already includes the 21.69% 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 $149,729 $5,758.81 $71.74 +$26,688
Step 2 $154,719 $5,950.73 $74.13 +$27,577
Step 3 $159,710 $6,142.69 $76.53 +$28,467
Step 4 $164,700 $6,334.62 $78.92 +$29,356
Step 5 $169,691 $6,526.58 $81.31 +$30,246
Step 6 $174,681 $6,718.50 $83.70 +$31,135
Step 7 $179,672 $6,910.46 $86.09 +$32,025
Step 8 $184,662 $7,102.38 $88.48 +$32,914
Step 9 $189,653 $7,294.35 $90.87 +$33,804
Step 10 $191,900 $7,380.77 $91.95 +$31,950
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Cincinnati pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Cincinnati GS-15 Step 1 $149,729
  • Locality add-on +$26,688
  • Adjustment percent 21.69%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Cincinnati GS-15 Step 10 $191,900

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 Cincinnati: 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 2024, the Cincinnati pay area adds a 21.69% 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 Cincinnati

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $5,759 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,381. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Cincinnati page.

Other grades in Cincinnati

GS-15 in Cincinnati questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Cincinnati?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns $149,729 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 21.69% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Cincinnati?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cincinnati in 2024, it is 21.69%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,688 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Cincinnati?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cincinnati earns roughly $5,759 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.