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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$94,796 GS-13 Step 1 in Washington DC (2017)
$123,234 GS-13 Step 10 in Washington DC (2017)
+$20,212 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $94,796 $3,646.00 $45.42 +$20,212
Step 2 $97,956 $3,767.54 $46.94 +$20,886
Step 3 $101,116 $3,889.08 $48.45 +$21,560
Step 4 $104,275 $4,010.58 $49.96 +$22,233
Step 5 $107,435 $4,132.12 $51.48 +$22,907
Step 6 $110,595 $4,253.65 $52.99 +$23,581
Step 7 $113,755 $4,375.19 $54.51 +$24,255
Step 8 $116,914 $4,496.69 $56.02 +$24,928
Step 9 $120,074 $4,618.23 $57.53 +$25,602
Step 10 $123,234 $4,739.77 $59.05 +$26,276
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $74,584
  • Washington DC GS-13 Step 1 $94,796
  • Locality add-on +$20,212
  • Adjustment percent 27.10%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $96,958
  • Washington DC GS-13 Step 10 $123,234

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 2017, the Washington DC pay area adds a 27.10% 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 $3,646 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,740. 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-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 2017, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $94,796 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $123,234. This is 27.10% 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 2017, it is 27.10%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,212 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 $3,646 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.