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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$22,560 GS-1 Step 1 in Washington DC (2015)
$28,213 GS-1 Step 10 in Washington DC (2015)
+$4,399 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 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 $22,560 $867.69 $10.81 +$4,399
Step 2 $23,314 $896.69 $11.17 +$4,546
Step 3 $24,064 $925.54 $11.53 +$4,692
Step 4 $24,810 $954.23 $11.89 +$4,837
Step 5 $25,561 $983.12 $12.25 +$4,984
Step 6 $26,000 $1,000.00 $12.46 +$5,069
Step 7 $26,742 $1,028.54 $12.81 +$5,214
Step 8 $27,490 $1,057.31 $13.17 +$5,360
Step 9 $27,518 $1,058.38 $13.19 +$5,365
Step 10 $28,213 $1,085.12 $13.52 +$5,501
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $18,161
  • Washington DC GS-1 Step 1 $22,560
  • Locality add-on +$4,399
  • Adjustment percent 24.22%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $22,712
  • Washington DC GS-1 Step 10 $28,213

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 2015, 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 $868 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,085. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 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 2015, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $22,560 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $28,213. 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 2015, it is 24.22%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,399 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 $868 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.