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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$60,538 GS-10 Step 1 in Washington DC (2017)
$78,703 GS-10 Step 10 in Washington DC (2017)
+$12,908 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-10 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 27.10% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-10 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $60,538 $2,328.38 $29.01 +$12,908
Step 2 $62,556 $2,406.00 $29.97 +$13,338
Step 3 $64,574 $2,483.62 $30.94 +$13,768
Step 4 $66,593 $2,561.27 $31.91 +$14,199
Step 5 $68,611 $2,638.88 $32.88 +$14,629
Step 6 $70,629 $2,716.50 $33.84 +$15,059
Step 7 $72,648 $2,794.15 $34.81 +$15,490
Step 8 $74,666 $2,871.77 $35.78 +$15,920
Step 9 $76,685 $2,949.42 $36.74 +$16,351
Step 10 $78,703 $3,027.04 $37.71 +$16,781
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $47,630
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 1 $60,538
  • Locality add-on +$12,908
  • Adjustment percent 27.10%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $61,922
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 10 $78,703

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-10 in Washington DC: what to expect

Senior technician and supervisory positions, and full-performance roles in a handful of occupations such as Border Patrol and IT.

For 2017, the Washington DC pay area adds a 27.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-10 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-9 level, plus agency-specific requirements.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-11 after one year of creditable experience in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-10 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-10 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,328 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,027. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-10 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-10 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-10 make in Washington DC?
    In 2017, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $60,538 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $78,703. This is 27.10% higher than the base GS-10 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-10 in Washington DC?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2017, it is 27.10%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,908 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-10 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,328 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.