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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,696 GS-2 Step 1 in Washington DC (2019)
$34,854 GS-2 Step 10 in Washington DC (2019)
+$6,279 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-2 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-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $27,696 $1,065.23 $13.27 +$6,279
Step 2 $28,356 $1,090.62 $13.59 +$6,429
Step 3 $29,273 $1,125.88 $14.03 +$6,637
Step 4 $30,049 $1,155.73 $14.40 +$6,813
Step 5 $30,386 $1,168.69 $14.56 +$6,889
Step 6 $31,280 $1,203.08 $14.99 +$7,092
Step 7 $32,174 $1,237.46 $15.42 +$7,295
Step 8 $33,067 $1,271.81 $15.84 +$7,497
Step 9 $33,961 $1,306.19 $16.27 +$7,700
Step 10 $34,854 $1,340.54 $16.70 +$7,902
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $21,417
  • Washington DC GS-2 Step 1 $27,696
  • Locality add-on +$6,279
  • Adjustment percent 29.32%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $26,952
  • Washington DC GS-2 Step 10 $34,854

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-2 in Washington DC: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2019, the Washington DC pay area adds a 29.32% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,065 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,341. 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-2 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-2 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Washington DC?
    In 2019, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $27,696 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $34,854. This is 29.32% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 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-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,279 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,065 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.