2026 GS-15 Pay in Minneapolis
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI earn 27.62% 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 $161,291 in Minneapolis.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Minneapolis
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $161,291 | $6,203.50 | $77.28 | +$34,907 |
| Step 2 | $166,668 | $6,410.31 | $79.86 | +$36,071 |
| Step 3 | $172,045 | $6,617.12 | $82.44 | +$37,235 |
| Step 4 | $177,421 | $6,823.88 | $85.01 | +$38,398 |
| Step 5 | $182,798 | $7,030.69 | $87.59 | +$39,562 |
| Step 6 | $188,174 | $7,237.46 | $90.16 | +$40,725 |
| Step 7 | $193,551 | $7,444.27 | $92.74 | +$41,889 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Minneapolis
Each step below already includes the 27.62% 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 | $161,291 | $6,203.50 | $77.28 | +$34,907 |
| Step 2 | $166,668 | $6,410.31 | $79.86 | +$36,071 |
| Step 3 | $172,045 | $6,617.12 | $82.44 | +$37,235 |
| Step 4 | $177,421 | $6,823.88 | $85.01 | +$38,398 |
| Step 5 | $182,798 | $7,030.69 | $87.59 | +$39,562 |
| Step 6 | $188,174 | $7,237.46 | $90.16 | +$40,725 |
| Step 7 | $193,551 | $7,444.27 | $92.74 | +$41,889 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Minneapolis pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis pay area adds a 27.62% 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 Minneapolis
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Minneapolis earns roughly $6,204 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 Minneapolis
GS-15 in Minneapolis questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Minneapolis?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Minneapolis earns $161,291 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 27.62% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Minneapolis?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Minneapolis in 2026, it is 27.62%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $34,907 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Minneapolis?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Minneapolis earns roughly $6,204 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.