2025 GS-15 Pay in Columbus
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH earn 22.15% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $125,133 on the base table to $152,850 in Columbus.
2025 GS-15 Pay in Columbus
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $152,850 | $5,878.85 | $73.24 | +$27,717 |
| Step 2 | $157,945 | $6,074.81 | $75.68 | +$28,641 |
| Step 3 | $163,040 | $6,270.77 | $78.12 | +$29,565 |
| Step 4 | $168,135 | $6,466.73 | $80.56 | +$30,489 |
| Step 5 | $173,229 | $6,662.65 | $83.00 | +$31,412 |
| Step 6 | $178,324 | $6,858.62 | $85.45 | +$32,336 |
| Step 7 | $183,419 | $7,054.58 | $87.89 | +$33,260 |
| Step 8 | $188,514 | $7,250.54 | $90.33 | +$34,184 |
| Step 9 | $193,609 | $7,446.50 | $92.77 | +$35,108 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Columbus
Each step below already includes the 22.15% 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 | $152,850 | $5,878.85 | $73.24 | +$27,717 |
| Step 2 | $157,945 | $6,074.81 | $75.68 | +$28,641 |
| Step 3 | $163,040 | $6,270.77 | $78.12 | +$29,565 |
| Step 4 | $168,135 | $6,466.73 | $80.56 | +$30,489 |
| Step 5 | $173,229 | $6,662.65 | $83.00 | +$31,412 |
| Step 6 | $178,324 | $6,858.62 | $85.45 | +$32,336 |
| Step 7 | $183,419 | $7,054.58 | $87.89 | +$33,260 |
| Step 8 | $188,514 | $7,250.54 | $90.33 | +$34,184 |
| Step 9 | $193,609 | $7,446.50 | $92.77 | +$35,108 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Columbus pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Columbus: 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 2025, the Columbus pay area adds a 22.15% 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 Columbus
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $5,879 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,508. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Columbus page.
Other grades in Columbus
GS-15 in Columbus questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Columbus?
In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns $152,850 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,200. This is 22.15% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Columbus?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Columbus in 2025, it is 22.15%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $27,717 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Columbus?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Columbus earns roughly $5,879 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.