2025 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 17.06% 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 $146,481 in Rest of U.S..
2025 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Rest of U.S..
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $146,481 | $5,633.88 | $70.19 | +$21,348 |
| Step 2 | $151,363 | $5,821.65 | $72.53 | +$22,059 |
| Step 3 | $156,246 | $6,009.46 | $74.87 | +$22,771 |
| Step 4 | $161,128 | $6,197.23 | $77.21 | +$23,482 |
| Step 5 | $166,011 | $6,385.04 | $79.55 | +$24,194 |
| Step 6 | $170,894 | $6,572.85 | $81.89 | +$24,906 |
| Step 7 | $175,776 | $6,760.62 | $84.22 | +$25,617 |
| Step 8 | $180,659 | $6,948.42 | $86.56 | +$26,329 |
| Step 9 | $185,541 | $7,136.19 | $88.90 | +$27,040 |
| Step 10 | $190,424 | $7,324.00 | $91.24 | +$27,752 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Rest of U.S.
Each step below already includes the 17.06% 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 | $146,481 | $5,633.88 | $70.19 | +$21,348 |
| Step 2 | $151,363 | $5,821.65 | $72.53 | +$22,059 |
| Step 3 | $156,246 | $6,009.46 | $74.87 | +$22,771 |
| Step 4 | $161,128 | $6,197.23 | $77.21 | +$23,482 |
| Step 5 | $166,011 | $6,385.04 | $79.55 | +$24,194 |
| Step 6 | $170,894 | $6,572.85 | $81.89 | +$24,906 |
| Step 7 | $175,776 | $6,760.62 | $84.22 | +$25,617 |
| Step 8 | $180,659 | $6,948.42 | $86.56 | +$26,329 |
| Step 9 | $185,541 | $7,136.19 | $88.90 | +$27,040 |
| Step 10 | $190,424 | $7,324.00 | $91.24 | +$27,752 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rest of U.S. pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% 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 Rest of U.S.
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $5,634 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,324. 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 Rest of U.S. page.
Other grades in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 in Rest of U.S. questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Rest of U.S.?
In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $146,481 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $190,424. This is 17.06% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2025, it is 17.06%. 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 Rest of U.S.?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $5,634 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.