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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$148,871 GS-15 Step 1 in Kansas City (2025)
$193,531 GS-15 Step 10 in Kansas City (2025)
+$23,738 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Kansas City

Each step below already includes the 18.97% 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 $148,871 $5,725.81 $71.33 +$23,738
Step 2 $153,833 $5,916.65 $73.71 +$24,529
Step 3 $158,795 $6,107.50 $76.09 +$25,320
Step 4 $163,757 $6,298.35 $78.47 +$26,111
Step 5 $168,720 $6,489.23 $80.84 +$26,903
Step 6 $173,682 $6,680.08 $83.22 +$27,694
Step 7 $178,644 $6,870.92 $85.60 +$28,485
Step 8 $183,606 $7,061.77 $87.98 +$29,276
Step 9 $188,569 $7,252.65 $90.35 +$30,068
Step 10 $193,531 $7,443.50 $92.73 +$30,859
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Kansas City pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Kansas City GS-15 Step 1 $148,871
  • Locality add-on +$23,738
  • Adjustment percent 18.97%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Kansas City GS-15 Step 10 $193,531

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 Kansas City: 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 Kansas City pay area adds a 18.97% 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 Kansas City

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns roughly $5,726 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,444. 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 Kansas City page.

Other grades in Kansas City

GS-15 in Kansas City questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Kansas City?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns $148,871 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $193,531. This is 18.97% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Kansas City?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Kansas City in 2025, it is 18.97%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,738 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Kansas City?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns roughly $5,726 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.