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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$147,507 GS-15 Step 1 in Rochester (2025)
$191,758 GS-15 Step 10 in Rochester (2025)
+$22,374 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-15 pay table for Rochester

Each step below already includes the 17.88% 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 $147,507 $5,673.35 $70.68 +$22,374
Step 2 $152,424 $5,862.46 $73.03 +$23,120
Step 3 $157,340 $6,051.54 $75.39 +$23,865
Step 4 $162,257 $6,240.65 $77.75 +$24,611
Step 5 $167,174 $6,429.77 $80.10 +$25,357
Step 6 $172,091 $6,618.88 $82.46 +$26,103
Step 7 $177,007 $6,807.96 $84.81 +$26,848
Step 8 $181,924 $6,997.08 $87.17 +$27,594
Step 9 $186,841 $7,186.19 $89.53 +$28,340
Step 10 $191,758 $7,375.31 $91.88 +$29,086
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rochester pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $125,133
  • Rochester GS-15 Step 1 $147,507
  • Locality add-on +$22,374
  • Adjustment percent 17.88%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $162,672
  • Rochester GS-15 Step 10 $191,758

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 Rochester: 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 Rochester pay area adds a 17.88% 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 Rochester

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $5,673 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,375. 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 Rochester page.

Other grades in Rochester

GS-15 in Rochester questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Rochester?
    In 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns $147,507 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,758. This is 17.88% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rochester?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rochester in 2025, it is 17.88%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,374 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Rochester?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $5,673 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.