2026 GS-15 Pay in Milwaukee
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI earn 22.42% 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 $154,719 in Milwaukee.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Milwaukee
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha, WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $154,719 | $5,950.73 | $74.13 | +$28,335 |
| Step 2 | $159,877 | $6,149.12 | $76.61 | +$29,280 |
| Step 3 | $165,034 | $6,347.46 | $79.08 | +$30,224 |
| Step 4 | $170,192 | $6,545.85 | $81.55 | +$31,169 |
| Step 5 | $175,350 | $6,744.23 | $84.02 | +$32,114 |
| Step 6 | $180,507 | $6,942.58 | $86.49 | +$33,058 |
| Step 7 | $185,665 | $7,140.96 | $88.96 | +$34,003 |
| Step 8 | $190,822 | $7,339.31 | $91.43 | +$34,947 |
| Step 9 | $195,980 | $7,537.69 | $93.91 | +$35,892 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Milwaukee
Each step below already includes the 22.42% 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 | $154,719 | $5,950.73 | $74.13 | +$28,335 |
| Step 2 | $159,877 | $6,149.12 | $76.61 | +$29,280 |
| Step 3 | $165,034 | $6,347.46 | $79.08 | +$30,224 |
| Step 4 | $170,192 | $6,545.85 | $81.55 | +$31,169 |
| Step 5 | $175,350 | $6,744.23 | $84.02 | +$32,114 |
| Step 6 | $180,507 | $6,942.58 | $86.49 | +$33,058 |
| Step 7 | $185,665 | $7,140.96 | $88.96 | +$34,003 |
| Step 8 | $190,822 | $7,339.31 | $91.43 | +$34,947 |
| Step 9 | $195,980 | $7,537.69 | $93.91 | +$35,892 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Milwaukee pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Milwaukee: 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 Milwaukee pay area adds a 22.42% 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 Milwaukee
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $5,951 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 Milwaukee
GS-15 in Milwaukee questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Milwaukee?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns $154,719 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 22.42% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Milwaukee?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Milwaukee in 2026, it is 22.42%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,335 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Milwaukee?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Milwaukee earns roughly $5,951 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.