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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$22,336 GS-1 Step 1 in Washington DC (2014)
$27,942 GS-1 Step 10 in Washington DC (2014)
+$4,355 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-1 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 24.22% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $22,336 $859.08 $10.70 +$4,355
Step 2 $23,083 $887.81 $11.06 +$4,501
Step 3 $23,825 $916.35 $11.42 +$4,645
Step 4 $24,565 $944.81 $11.77 +$4,790
Step 5 $25,307 $973.35 $12.13 +$4,934
Step 6 $25,743 $990.12 $12.33 +$5,019
Step 7 $26,477 $1,018.35 $12.69 +$5,162
Step 8 $27,218 $1,046.85 $13.04 +$5,307
Step 9 $27,246 $1,047.92 $13.06 +$5,312
Step 10 $27,942 $1,074.69 $13.39 +$5,448
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $17,981
  • Washington DC GS-1 Step 1 $22,336
  • Locality add-on +$4,355
  • Adjustment percent 24.22%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $22,494
  • Washington DC GS-1 Step 10 $27,942

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-1 in Washington DC: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2014, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.22% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $859 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,075. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2014 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-1 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Washington DC?
    In 2014, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $22,336 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $27,942. This is 24.22% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Washington DC?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2014, it is 24.22%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,355 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $859 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.