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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$147,056 GS-15 Step 1 in Reno (2025)
$191,172 GS-15 Step 10 in Reno (2025)
+$21,923 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Reno

Each step below already includes the 17.52% 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 $147,056 $5,656.00 $70.46 +$21,923
Step 2 $151,958 $5,844.54 $72.81 +$22,654
Step 3 $156,860 $6,033.08 $75.16 +$23,385
Step 4 $161,762 $6,221.62 $77.51 +$24,116
Step 5 $166,663 $6,410.12 $79.86 +$24,846
Step 6 $171,565 $6,598.65 $82.21 +$25,577
Step 7 $176,467 $6,787.19 $84.56 +$26,308
Step 8 $181,369 $6,975.73 $86.90 +$27,039
Step 9 $186,270 $7,164.23 $89.25 +$27,769
Step 10 $191,172 $7,352.77 $91.60 +$28,500
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Reno pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Reno GS-15 Step 1 $147,056
  • Locality add-on +$21,923
  • Adjustment percent 17.52%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Reno GS-15 Step 10 $191,172

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 Reno: 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 Reno pay area adds a 17.52% 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 Reno

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $5,656 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,353. 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 Reno page.

Other grades in Reno

GS-15 in Reno questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Reno?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Reno earns $147,056 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,172. This is 17.52% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Reno?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Reno in 2025, it is 17.52%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,923 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Reno?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $5,656 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.