2026 GS-15 Pay in Reno
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Reno-Fernley, NV earn 17.52% 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 $148,526 in Reno.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Reno
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Reno-Fernley, NV.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $148,526 | $5,712.54 | $71.17 | +$22,142 |
| Step 2 | $153,478 | $5,903.00 | $73.54 | +$22,881 |
| Step 3 | $158,429 | $6,093.42 | $75.91 | +$23,619 |
| Step 4 | $163,380 | $6,283.85 | $78.28 | +$24,357 |
| Step 5 | $168,331 | $6,474.27 | $80.66 | +$25,095 |
| Step 6 | $173,282 | $6,664.69 | $83.03 | +$25,833 |
| Step 7 | $178,233 | $6,855.12 | $85.40 | +$26,571 |
| Step 8 | $183,184 | $7,045.54 | $87.77 | +$27,309 |
| Step 9 | $188,135 | $7,235.96 | $90.15 | +$28,047 |
| Step 10 | $193,087 | $7,426.42 | $92.52 | +$28,786 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Reno
Each step below already includes the 17.52% 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 | $148,526 | $5,712.54 | $71.17 | +$22,142 |
| Step 2 | $153,478 | $5,903.00 | $73.54 | +$22,881 |
| Step 3 | $158,429 | $6,093.42 | $75.91 | +$23,619 |
| Step 4 | $163,380 | $6,283.85 | $78.28 | +$24,357 |
| Step 5 | $168,331 | $6,474.27 | $80.66 | +$25,095 |
| Step 6 | $173,282 | $6,664.69 | $83.03 | +$25,833 |
| Step 7 | $178,233 | $6,855.12 | $85.40 | +$26,571 |
| Step 8 | $183,184 | $7,045.54 | $87.77 | +$27,309 |
| Step 9 | $188,135 | $7,235.96 | $90.15 | +$28,047 |
| Step 10 | $193,087 | $7,426.42 | $92.52 | +$28,786 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Reno pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Reno: 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 Reno pay area adds a 17.52% 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 Reno
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $5,713 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,426. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Reno
GS-15 in Reno questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Reno?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Reno earns $148,526 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $193,087. This is 17.52% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Reno?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Reno in 2026, it is 17.52%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,142 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Reno?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Reno earns roughly $5,713 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.