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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$144,389 GS-15 Step 1 in Rochester (2024)
$187,701 GS-15 Step 10 in Rochester (2024)
+$21,348 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-15 pay table for Rochester

Each step below already includes the 17.35% 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 $144,389 $5,553.42 $69.18 +$21,348
Step 2 $149,201 $5,738.50 $71.49 +$22,059
Step 3 $154,014 $5,923.62 $73.80 +$22,771
Step 4 $158,826 $6,108.69 $76.10 +$23,482
Step 5 $163,639 $6,293.81 $78.41 +$24,194
Step 6 $168,451 $6,478.88 $80.71 +$24,905
Step 7 $173,264 $6,664.00 $83.02 +$25,617
Step 8 $178,076 $6,849.08 $85.33 +$26,328
Step 9 $182,889 $7,034.19 $87.63 +$27,040
Step 10 $187,701 $7,219.27 $89.94 +$27,751
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rochester pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $123,041
  • Rochester GS-15 Step 1 $144,389
  • Locality add-on +$21,348
  • Adjustment percent 17.35%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $159,950
  • Rochester GS-15 Step 10 $187,701

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 Rochester: 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 Rochester pay area adds a 17.35% 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 Rochester

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $5,553 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,219. 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 Rochester page.

Other grades in Rochester

GS-15 in Rochester questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Rochester?
    In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns $144,389 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $187,701. This is 17.35% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rochester?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rochester in 2024, it is 17.35%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,348 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Rochester?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $5,553 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.