2024 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 16.82% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $143,736 in Rest of U.S..
2024 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Rest of U.S..
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $143,736 | $5,528.31 | $68.87 | +$20,695 |
| Step 2 | $148,527 | $5,712.58 | $71.17 | +$21,385 |
| Step 3 | $153,318 | $5,896.85 | $73.46 | +$22,075 |
| Step 4 | $158,109 | $6,081.12 | $75.76 | +$22,765 |
| Step 5 | $162,900 | $6,265.38 | $78.05 | +$23,455 |
| Step 6 | $167,690 | $6,449.62 | $80.35 | +$24,144 |
| Step 7 | $172,481 | $6,633.88 | $82.65 | +$24,834 |
| Step 8 | $177,272 | $6,818.15 | $84.94 | +$25,524 |
| Step 9 | $182,063 | $7,002.42 | $87.24 | +$26,214 |
| Step 10 | $186,854 | $7,186.69 | $89.53 | +$26,904 |
2024 GS-15 pay table for Rest of U.S.
Each step below already includes the 16.82% 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 | $143,736 | $5,528.31 | $68.87 | +$20,695 |
| Step 2 | $148,527 | $5,712.58 | $71.17 | +$21,385 |
| Step 3 | $153,318 | $5,896.85 | $73.46 | +$22,075 |
| Step 4 | $158,109 | $6,081.12 | $75.76 | +$22,765 |
| Step 5 | $162,900 | $6,265.38 | $78.05 | +$23,455 |
| Step 6 | $167,690 | $6,449.62 | $80.35 | +$24,144 |
| Step 7 | $172,481 | $6,633.88 | $82.65 | +$24,834 |
| Step 8 | $177,272 | $6,818.15 | $84.94 | +$25,524 |
| Step 9 | $182,063 | $7,002.42 | $87.24 | +$26,214 |
| Step 10 | $186,854 | $7,186.69 | $89.53 | +$26,904 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rest of U.S. pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 16.82% 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 Rest of U.S.
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $5,528 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,187. 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 Rest of U.S. page.
Other grades in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 in Rest of U.S. questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Rest of U.S.?
In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $143,736 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $186,854. This is 16.82% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2024, it is 16.82%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,695 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $5,528 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.