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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$158,501 GS-15 Step 1 in Detroit (2024)
$191,900 GS-15 Step 10 in Detroit (2024)
+$35,460 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Detroit

Each step below already includes the 28.82% 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 $158,501 $6,096.19 $75.95 +$35,460
Step 2 $163,784 $6,299.38 $78.48 +$36,642
Step 3 $169,067 $6,502.58 $81.01 +$37,824
Step 4 $174,350 $6,705.77 $83.54 +$39,006
Step 5 $179,633 $6,908.96 $86.07 +$40,188
Step 6 $184,916 $7,112.15 $88.60 +$41,370
Step 7 $190,199 $7,315.35 $91.14 +$42,552
Step 8 $191,900 $7,380.77 $91.95 +$40,152
Step 9 $191,900 $7,380.77 $91.95 +$36,051
Step 10 $191,900 $7,380.77 $91.95 +$31,950
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Detroit pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Detroit GS-15 Step 1 $158,501
  • Locality add-on +$35,460
  • Adjustment percent 28.82%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Detroit 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 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 2024, the Detroit pay area adds a 28.82% 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 $6,096 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 Detroit page.

Other grades in Detroit

GS-15 in Detroit questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Detroit?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Detroit earns $158,501 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 28.82% 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 2024, it is 28.82%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $35,460 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 $6,096 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.