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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$92,145 GS-13 Step 1 in Washington DC (2016)
$119,794 GS-13 Step 10 in Washington DC (2016)
+$18,299 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-13 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 24.78% 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 $92,145 $3,544.04 $44.15 +$18,299
Step 2 $95,217 $3,662.19 $45.62 +$18,909
Step 3 $98,289 $3,780.35 $47.10 +$19,519
Step 4 $101,361 $3,898.50 $48.57 +$20,129
Step 5 $104,433 $4,016.65 $50.04 +$20,739
Step 6 $107,505 $4,134.81 $51.51 +$21,349
Step 7 $110,578 $4,253.00 $52.98 +$21,960
Step 8 $113,650 $4,371.15 $54.46 +$22,570
Step 9 $116,722 $4,489.31 $55.93 +$23,180
Step 10 $119,794 $4,607.46 $57.40 +$23,790
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $73,846
  • Washington DC GS-13 Step 1 $92,145
  • Locality add-on +$18,299
  • Adjustment percent 24.78%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $96,004
  • Washington DC GS-13 Step 10 $119,794

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 2016, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.78% 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 $3,544 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,607. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $92,145 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $119,794. This is 24.78% 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 2016, it is 24.78%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,299 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 $3,544 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.