2026 GS-15 Pay in Cleveland
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA earn 22.23% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $154,479 in Cleveland.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Cleveland
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $154,479 | $5,941.50 | $74.02 | +$28,095 |
| Step 2 | $159,629 | $6,139.58 | $76.49 | +$29,032 |
| Step 3 | $164,778 | $6,337.62 | $78.95 | +$29,968 |
| Step 4 | $169,928 | $6,535.69 | $81.42 | +$30,905 |
| Step 5 | $175,077 | $6,733.73 | $83.89 | +$31,841 |
| Step 6 | $180,227 | $6,931.81 | $86.36 | +$32,778 |
| Step 7 | $185,376 | $7,129.85 | $88.82 | +$33,714 |
| Step 8 | $190,526 | $7,327.92 | $91.29 | +$34,651 |
| Step 9 | $195,676 | $7,526.00 | $93.76 | +$35,588 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Cleveland
Each step below already includes the 22.23% 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 | $154,479 | $5,941.50 | $74.02 | +$28,095 |
| Step 2 | $159,629 | $6,139.58 | $76.49 | +$29,032 |
| Step 3 | $164,778 | $6,337.62 | $78.95 | +$29,968 |
| Step 4 | $169,928 | $6,535.69 | $81.42 | +$30,905 |
| Step 5 | $175,077 | $6,733.73 | $83.89 | +$31,841 |
| Step 6 | $180,227 | $6,931.81 | $86.36 | +$32,778 |
| Step 7 | $185,376 | $7,129.85 | $88.82 | +$33,714 |
| Step 8 | $190,526 | $7,327.92 | $91.29 | +$34,651 |
| Step 9 | $195,676 | $7,526.00 | $93.76 | +$35,588 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Cleveland pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Cleveland: 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 2026, the Cleveland pay area adds a 22.23% 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 Cleveland
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $5,942 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Cleveland
GS-15 in Cleveland questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Cleveland?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns $154,479 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 22.23% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Cleveland?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Cleveland in 2026, it is 22.23%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,095 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Cleveland?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Cleveland earns roughly $5,942 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.