2016 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 24.78% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $102,646 on the base table to $128,082 in Washington DC.
2016 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 | $128,082 | $4,926.23 | $61.37 | +$25,436 |
| Step 2 | $132,352 | $5,090.46 | $63.42 | +$26,284 |
| Step 3 | $136,622 | $5,254.69 | $65.46 | +$27,132 |
| Step 4 | $140,892 | $5,418.92 | $67.51 | +$27,980 |
| Step 5 | $145,162 | $5,583.15 | $69.56 | +$28,828 |
| Step 6 | $149,432 | $5,747.38 | $71.60 | +$29,676 |
| Step 7 | $153,702 | $5,911.62 | $73.65 | +$30,524 |
| Step 8 | $157,971 | $6,075.81 | $75.69 | +$31,371 |
| Step 9 | $160,300 | $6,165.38 | $76.81 | +$30,278 |
| Step 10 | $160,300 | $6,165.38 | $76.81 | +$26,856 |
2016 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $128,082 | $4,926.23 | $61.37 | +$25,436 |
| Step 2 | $132,352 | $5,090.46 | $63.42 | +$26,284 |
| Step 3 | $136,622 | $5,254.69 | $65.46 | +$27,132 |
| Step 4 | $140,892 | $5,418.92 | $67.51 | +$27,980 |
| Step 5 | $145,162 | $5,583.15 | $69.56 | +$28,828 |
| Step 6 | $149,432 | $5,747.38 | $71.60 | +$29,676 |
| Step 7 | $153,702 | $5,911.62 | $73.65 | +$30,524 |
| Step 8 | $157,971 | $6,075.81 | $75.69 | +$31,371 |
| Step 9 | $160,300 | $6,165.38 | $76.81 | +$30,278 |
| Step 10 | $160,300 | $6,165.38 | $76.81 | +$26,856 |
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 2016, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.78% 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 $4,926 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,165. 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-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 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $128,082 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $160,300. This is 24.78% 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 2016, it is 24.78%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,436 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 $4,926 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.