2018 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 28.22% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $105,123 on the base table to $134,789 in Washington DC.
2018 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 | $134,789 | $5,184.19 | $64.59 | +$29,666 |
| Step 2 | $139,282 | $5,357.00 | $66.74 | +$30,655 |
| Step 3 | $143,774 | $5,529.77 | $68.89 | +$31,643 |
| Step 4 | $148,267 | $5,702.58 | $71.04 | +$32,632 |
| Step 5 | $152,760 | $5,875.38 | $73.20 | +$33,621 |
| Step 6 | $157,253 | $6,048.19 | $75.35 | +$34,610 |
| Step 7 | $161,746 | $6,221.00 | $77.50 | +$35,599 |
| Step 8 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$34,549 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
2018 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,789 | $5,184.19 | $64.59 | +$29,666 |
| Step 2 | $139,282 | $5,357.00 | $66.74 | +$30,655 |
| Step 3 | $143,774 | $5,529.77 | $68.89 | +$31,643 |
| Step 4 | $148,267 | $5,702.58 | $71.04 | +$32,632 |
| Step 5 | $152,760 | $5,875.38 | $73.20 | +$33,621 |
| Step 6 | $157,253 | $6,048.19 | $75.35 | +$34,610 |
| Step 7 | $161,746 | $6,221.00 | $77.50 | +$35,599 |
| Step 8 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$34,549 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
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 2018, the Washington DC pay area adds a 28.22% 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 $5,184 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,315. 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-15 Washington DC page.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-15 in Washington DC questions
-
How much does a GS-15 make in Washington DC?
In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $134,789 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,200. This is 28.22% 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 2018, it is 28.22%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,666 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 $5,184 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.