2026 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Rest of U.S. earn 17.06% 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 $147,945 in Rest of U.S..
2026 GS-15 Pay in Rest of U.S.
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Rest of U.S..
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $147,945 | $5,690.19 | $70.89 | +$21,561 |
| Step 2 | $152,877 | $5,879.88 | $73.25 | +$22,280 |
| Step 3 | $157,809 | $6,069.58 | $75.62 | +$22,999 |
| Step 4 | $162,740 | $6,259.23 | $77.98 | +$23,717 |
| Step 5 | $167,672 | $6,448.92 | $80.34 | +$24,436 |
| Step 6 | $172,604 | $6,638.62 | $82.70 | +$25,155 |
| Step 7 | $177,536 | $6,828.31 | $85.07 | +$25,874 |
| Step 8 | $182,467 | $7,017.96 | $87.43 | +$26,592 |
| Step 9 | $187,399 | $7,207.65 | $89.79 | +$27,311 |
| Step 10 | $192,331 | $7,397.35 | $92.16 | +$28,030 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Rest of U.S.
Each step below already includes the 17.06% 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 | $147,945 | $5,690.19 | $70.89 | +$21,561 |
| Step 2 | $152,877 | $5,879.88 | $73.25 | +$22,280 |
| Step 3 | $157,809 | $6,069.58 | $75.62 | +$22,999 |
| Step 4 | $162,740 | $6,259.23 | $77.98 | +$23,717 |
| Step 5 | $167,672 | $6,448.92 | $80.34 | +$24,436 |
| Step 6 | $172,604 | $6,638.62 | $82.70 | +$25,155 |
| Step 7 | $177,536 | $6,828.31 | $85.07 | +$25,874 |
| Step 8 | $182,467 | $7,017.96 | $87.43 | +$26,592 |
| Step 9 | $187,399 | $7,207.65 | $89.79 | +$27,311 |
| Step 10 | $192,331 | $7,397.35 | $92.16 | +$28,030 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rest of U.S. pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Rest of U.S.: 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 Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 17.06% 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 Rest of U.S.
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $5,690 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,397. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Rest of U.S.
GS-15 in Rest of U.S. questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Rest of U.S.?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $147,945 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $192,331. This is 17.06% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2026, it is 17.06%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,561 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Rest of U.S.?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $5,690 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.