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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$52,668 GS-9 Step 1 in Washington DC (2015)
$68,465 GS-9 Step 10 in Washington DC (2015)
+$10,269 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $52,668 $2,025.69 $25.24 +$10,269
Step 2 $54,423 $2,093.19 $26.08 +$10,611
Step 3 $56,178 $2,160.69 $26.92 +$10,953
Step 4 $57,934 $2,228.23 $27.76 +$11,296
Step 5 $59,689 $2,295.73 $28.60 +$11,638
Step 6 $61,444 $2,363.23 $29.44 +$11,980
Step 7 $63,199 $2,430.73 $30.28 +$12,322
Step 8 $64,955 $2,498.27 $31.12 +$12,665
Step 9 $66,710 $2,565.77 $31.96 +$13,007
Step 10 $68,465 $2,633.27 $32.81 +$13,349
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $42,399
  • Washington DC GS-9 Step 1 $52,668
  • Locality add-on +$10,269
  • Adjustment percent 24.22%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $55,116
  • Washington DC GS-9 Step 10 $68,465

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-9 in Washington DC: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2015, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.22% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-9 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,026 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,633. 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-9 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-9 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Washington DC?
    In 2015, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $52,668 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $68,465. This is 24.22% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,269 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,026 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.