2026 GS-15 Pay in Kansas City
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS earn 18.97% 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 $150,359 in Kansas City.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Kansas City
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $150,359 | $5,783.04 | $72.05 | +$23,975 |
| Step 2 | $155,371 | $5,975.81 | $74.45 | +$24,774 |
| Step 3 | $160,383 | $6,168.58 | $76.85 | +$25,573 |
| Step 4 | $165,396 | $6,361.38 | $79.25 | +$26,373 |
| Step 5 | $170,408 | $6,554.15 | $81.65 | +$27,172 |
| Step 6 | $175,420 | $6,746.92 | $84.05 | +$27,971 |
| Step 7 | $180,432 | $6,939.69 | $86.46 | +$28,770 |
| Step 8 | $185,444 | $7,132.46 | $88.86 | +$29,569 |
| Step 9 | $190,457 | $7,325.27 | $91.26 | +$30,369 |
| Step 10 | $195,469 | $7,518.04 | $93.66 | +$31,168 |
2026 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 | $150,359 | $5,783.04 | $72.05 | +$23,975 |
| Step 2 | $155,371 | $5,975.81 | $74.45 | +$24,774 |
| Step 3 | $160,383 | $6,168.58 | $76.85 | +$25,573 |
| Step 4 | $165,396 | $6,361.38 | $79.25 | +$26,373 |
| Step 5 | $170,408 | $6,554.15 | $81.65 | +$27,172 |
| Step 6 | $175,420 | $6,746.92 | $84.05 | +$27,971 |
| Step 7 | $180,432 | $6,939.69 | $86.46 | +$28,770 |
| Step 8 | $185,444 | $7,132.46 | $88.86 | +$29,569 |
| Step 9 | $190,457 | $7,325.27 | $91.26 | +$30,369 |
| Step 10 | $195,469 | $7,518.04 | $93.66 | +$31,168 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Kansas City pays
Step-increase waiting periods
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 2026, 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 $5,783 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,518. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Kansas City
GS-15 in Kansas City questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Kansas City?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Kansas City earns $150,359 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,469. 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 2026, it is 18.97%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,975 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 $5,783 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.