2019 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 29.32% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $106,595 on the base table to $137,849 in Washington DC.
2019 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 | $137,849 | $5,301.88 | $66.05 | +$31,254 |
| Step 2 | $142,443 | $5,478.58 | $68.25 | +$32,295 |
| Step 3 | $147,038 | $5,655.31 | $70.45 | +$33,337 |
| Step 4 | $151,633 | $5,832.04 | $72.66 | +$34,379 |
| Step 5 | $156,228 | $6,008.77 | $74.86 | +$35,421 |
| Step 6 | $160,822 | $6,185.46 | $77.06 | +$36,462 |
| Step 7 | $165,417 | $6,362.19 | $79.26 | +$37,504 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
2019 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $137,849 | $5,301.88 | $66.05 | +$31,254 |
| Step 2 | $142,443 | $5,478.58 | $68.25 | +$32,295 |
| Step 3 | $147,038 | $5,655.31 | $70.45 | +$33,337 |
| Step 4 | $151,633 | $5,832.04 | $72.66 | +$34,379 |
| Step 5 | $156,228 | $6,008.77 | $74.86 | +$35,421 |
| Step 6 | $160,822 | $6,185.46 | $77.06 | +$36,462 |
| Step 7 | $165,417 | $6,362.19 | $79.26 | +$37,504 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
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 2019, the Washington DC pay area adds a 29.32% 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 $5,302 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. 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-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 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $137,849 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 29.32% 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 2019, it is 29.32%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $31,254 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 $5,302 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.