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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$90,823 GS-13 Step 1 in Washington DC (2015)
$118,069 GS-13 Step 10 in Washington DC (2015)
+$17,708 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $90,823 $3,493.19 $43.52 +$17,708
Step 2 $93,851 $3,609.65 $44.97 +$18,299
Step 3 $96,878 $3,726.08 $46.42 +$18,889
Step 4 $99,905 $3,842.50 $47.87 +$19,479
Step 5 $102,932 $3,958.92 $49.32 +$20,069
Step 6 $105,960 $4,075.38 $50.77 +$20,660
Step 7 $108,987 $4,191.81 $52.22 +$21,250
Step 8 $112,014 $4,308.23 $53.67 +$21,840
Step 9 $115,041 $4,424.65 $55.12 +$22,430
Step 10 $118,069 $4,541.12 $56.57 +$23,021
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $73,115
  • Washington DC GS-13 Step 1 $90,823
  • Locality add-on +$17,708
  • Adjustment percent 24.22%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $95,048
  • Washington DC GS-13 Step 10 $118,069

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-13 in Washington DC: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2015, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.22% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $3,493 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,541. 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-13 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-13 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Washington DC?
    In 2015, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $90,823 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,069. This is 24.22% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,708 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $3,493 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.