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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$63,332 GS-10 Step 1 in Washington DC (2019)
$82,326 GS-10 Step 10 in Washington DC (2019)
+$14,359 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-10 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 29.32% 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 $63,332 $2,435.85 $30.35 +$14,359
Step 2 $65,442 $2,517.00 $31.36 +$14,837
Step 3 $67,553 $2,598.19 $32.37 +$15,316
Step 4 $69,663 $2,679.35 $33.38 +$15,794
Step 5 $71,774 $2,760.54 $34.39 +$16,273
Step 6 $73,884 $2,841.69 $35.40 +$16,751
Step 7 $75,995 $2,922.88 $36.41 +$17,230
Step 8 $78,105 $3,004.04 $37.42 +$17,708
Step 9 $80,216 $3,085.23 $38.44 +$18,187
Step 10 $82,326 $3,166.38 $39.45 +$18,665
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $48,973
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 1 $63,332
  • Locality add-on +$14,359
  • Adjustment percent 29.32%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $63,661
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 10 $82,326

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 2019, the Washington DC pay area adds a 29.32% 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 $2,436 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,166. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $63,332 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $82,326. This is 29.32% 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 2019, it is 29.32%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,359 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 $2,436 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.