2015 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 24.22% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $101,630 on the base table to $126,245 in Washington DC.
2015 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $126,245 | $4,855.58 | $60.49 | +$24,615 |
| Step 2 | $130,453 | $5,017.42 | $62.51 | +$25,435 |
| Step 3 | $134,662 | $5,179.31 | $64.52 | +$26,256 |
| Step 4 | $138,871 | $5,341.19 | $66.54 | +$27,077 |
| Step 5 | $143,079 | $5,503.04 | $68.56 | +$27,897 |
| Step 6 | $147,288 | $5,664.92 | $70.57 | +$28,718 |
| Step 7 | $151,496 | $5,826.77 | $72.59 | +$29,538 |
| Step 8 | $155,705 | $5,988.65 | $74.61 | +$30,359 |
| Step 9 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$29,966 |
| Step 10 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$26,578 |
2015 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $126,245 | $4,855.58 | $60.49 | +$24,615 |
| Step 2 | $130,453 | $5,017.42 | $62.51 | +$25,435 |
| Step 3 | $134,662 | $5,179.31 | $64.52 | +$26,256 |
| Step 4 | $138,871 | $5,341.19 | $66.54 | +$27,077 |
| Step 5 | $143,079 | $5,503.04 | $68.56 | +$27,897 |
| Step 6 | $147,288 | $5,664.92 | $70.57 | +$28,718 |
| Step 7 | $151,496 | $5,826.77 | $72.59 | +$29,538 |
| Step 8 | $155,705 | $5,988.65 | $74.61 | +$30,359 |
| Step 9 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$29,966 |
| Step 10 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$26,578 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Washington DC pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Washington DC: 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 2015, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.22% 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 Washington DC
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $4,856 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,104. 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-15 Washington DC page.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-15 in Washington DC questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Washington DC?
In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $126,245 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $158,700. This is 24.22% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,615 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Washington DC?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $4,856 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.