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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$61,926 GS-10 Step 1 in Washington DC (2018)
$80,505 GS-10 Step 10 in Washington DC (2018)
+$13,629 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-10 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 28.22% 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 $61,926 $2,381.77 $29.67 +$13,629
Step 2 $63,991 $2,461.19 $30.66 +$14,084
Step 3 $66,055 $2,540.58 $31.65 +$14,538
Step 4 $68,119 $2,619.96 $32.64 +$14,992
Step 5 $70,184 $2,699.38 $33.63 +$15,447
Step 6 $72,248 $2,778.77 $34.62 +$15,901
Step 7 $74,312 $2,858.15 $35.61 +$16,355
Step 8 $76,377 $2,937.58 $36.60 +$16,810
Step 9 $78,441 $3,016.96 $37.59 +$17,264
Step 10 $80,505 $3,096.35 $38.57 +$17,718
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $48,297
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 1 $61,926
  • Locality add-on +$13,629
  • Adjustment percent 28.22%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $62,787
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 10 $80,505

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 2018, the Washington DC pay area adds a 28.22% 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 $2,382 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,096. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 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 2018, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $61,926 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $80,505. This is 28.22% 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 2018, it is 28.22%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,629 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 $2,382 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.