2017 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 27.10% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $103,672 on the base table to $131,767 in Washington DC.
2017 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 | $131,767 | $5,067.96 | $63.14 | +$28,095 |
| Step 2 | $136,160 | $5,236.92 | $65.24 | +$29,032 |
| Step 3 | $140,552 | $5,405.85 | $67.35 | +$29,968 |
| Step 4 | $144,945 | $5,574.81 | $69.45 | +$30,905 |
| Step 5 | $149,337 | $5,743.73 | $71.56 | +$31,841 |
| Step 6 | $153,730 | $5,912.69 | $73.66 | +$32,778 |
| Step 7 | $158,123 | $6,081.65 | $75.77 | +$33,715 |
| Step 8 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$34,036 |
| Step 9 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$30,580 |
| Step 10 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$27,124 |
2017 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $131,767 | $5,067.96 | $63.14 | +$28,095 |
| Step 2 | $136,160 | $5,236.92 | $65.24 | +$29,032 |
| Step 3 | $140,552 | $5,405.85 | $67.35 | +$29,968 |
| Step 4 | $144,945 | $5,574.81 | $69.45 | +$30,905 |
| Step 5 | $149,337 | $5,743.73 | $71.56 | +$31,841 |
| Step 6 | $153,730 | $5,912.69 | $73.66 | +$32,778 |
| Step 7 | $158,123 | $6,081.65 | $75.77 | +$33,715 |
| Step 8 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$34,036 |
| Step 9 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$30,580 |
| Step 10 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$27,124 |
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 2017, the Washington DC pay area adds a 27.10% 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 $5,068 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,227. 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-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 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $131,767 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,900. This is 27.10% 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 2017, it is 27.10%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,095 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 $5,068 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.