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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$49,771 GS-8 Step 1 in Washington DC (2017)
$64,699 GS-8 Step 10 in Washington DC (2017)
+$10,612 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $49,771 $1,914.27 $23.85 +$10,612
Step 2 $51,430 $1,978.08 $24.64 +$10,966
Step 3 $53,088 $2,041.85 $25.44 +$11,319
Step 4 $54,747 $2,105.65 $26.23 +$11,673
Step 5 $56,406 $2,169.46 $27.03 +$12,027
Step 6 $58,064 $2,233.23 $27.82 +$12,380
Step 7 $59,723 $2,297.04 $28.62 +$12,734
Step 8 $61,382 $2,360.85 $29.41 +$13,088
Step 9 $63,040 $2,424.62 $30.21 +$13,441
Step 10 $64,699 $2,488.42 $31.00 +$13,795
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $39,159
  • Washington DC GS-8 Step 1 $49,771
  • Locality add-on +$10,612
  • Adjustment percent 27.10%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $50,904
  • Washington DC GS-8 Step 10 $64,699

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-8 in Washington DC: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2017, the Washington DC pay area adds a 27.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,914 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,488. 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-8 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-8 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Washington DC?
    In 2017, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $49,771 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $64,699. This is 27.10% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,612 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,914 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.