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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$147,845 GS-15 Step 1 in Indianapolis (2025)
$192,197 GS-15 Step 10 in Indianapolis (2025)
+$22,712 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Indianapolis

Each step below already includes the 18.15% 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 $147,845 $5,686.35 $70.84 +$22,712
Step 2 $152,773 $5,875.88 $73.20 +$23,469
Step 3 $157,701 $6,065.42 $75.56 +$24,226
Step 4 $162,629 $6,254.96 $77.92 +$24,983
Step 5 $167,557 $6,444.50 $80.29 +$25,740
Step 6 $172,485 $6,634.04 $82.65 +$26,497
Step 7 $177,413 $6,823.58 $85.01 +$27,254
Step 8 $182,341 $7,013.12 $87.37 +$28,011
Step 9 $187,269 $7,202.65 $89.73 +$28,768
Step 10 $192,197 $7,392.19 $92.09 +$29,525
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Indianapolis pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Indianapolis GS-15 Step 1 $147,845
  • Locality add-on +$22,712
  • Adjustment percent 18.15%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Indianapolis GS-15 Step 10 $192,197

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 Indianapolis: 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 Indianapolis pay area adds a 18.15% 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 Indianapolis

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns roughly $5,686 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,392. 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 Indianapolis page.

Other grades in Indianapolis

GS-15 in Indianapolis questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Indianapolis?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns $147,845 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $192,197. This is 18.15% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Indianapolis?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Indianapolis in 2025, it is 18.15%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,712 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Indianapolis?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Indianapolis earns roughly $5,686 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.