2026 GS-15 Pay in Rochester
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY earn 17.88% 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 $148,981 in Rochester.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Rochester
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Rochester-Batavia-Seneca Falls, NY.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $148,981 | $5,730.04 | $71.39 | +$22,597 |
| Step 2 | $153,948 | $5,921.08 | $73.77 | +$23,351 |
| Step 3 | $158,914 | $6,112.08 | $76.14 | +$24,104 |
| Step 4 | $163,880 | $6,303.08 | $78.52 | +$24,857 |
| Step 5 | $168,847 | $6,494.12 | $80.90 | +$25,611 |
| Step 6 | $173,813 | $6,685.12 | $83.28 | +$26,364 |
| Step 7 | $178,779 | $6,876.12 | $85.66 | +$27,117 |
| Step 8 | $183,745 | $7,067.12 | $88.04 | +$27,870 |
| Step 9 | $188,712 | $7,258.15 | $90.42 | +$28,624 |
| Step 10 | $193,678 | $7,449.15 | $92.80 | +$29,377 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for Rochester
Each step below already includes the 17.88% 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 | $148,981 | $5,730.04 | $71.39 | +$22,597 |
| Step 2 | $153,948 | $5,921.08 | $73.77 | +$23,351 |
| Step 3 | $158,914 | $6,112.08 | $76.14 | +$24,104 |
| Step 4 | $163,880 | $6,303.08 | $78.52 | +$24,857 |
| Step 5 | $168,847 | $6,494.12 | $80.90 | +$25,611 |
| Step 6 | $173,813 | $6,685.12 | $83.28 | +$26,364 |
| Step 7 | $178,779 | $6,876.12 | $85.66 | +$27,117 |
| Step 8 | $183,745 | $7,067.12 | $88.04 | +$27,870 |
| Step 9 | $188,712 | $7,258.15 | $90.42 | +$28,624 |
| Step 10 | $193,678 | $7,449.15 | $92.80 | +$29,377 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Rochester pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Rochester: 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 Rochester pay area adds a 17.88% 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 Rochester
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $5,730 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,449. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Rochester
GS-15 in Rochester questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Rochester?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns $148,981 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $193,678. This is 17.88% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Rochester?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rochester in 2026, it is 17.88%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,597 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Rochester?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Rochester earns roughly $5,730 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.