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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$65,561 GS-10 Step 1 in Washington DC (2020)
$85,231 GS-10 Step 10 in Washington DC (2020)
+$15,315 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-10 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 30.48% 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 $65,561 $2,521.58 $31.41 +$15,315
Step 2 $67,747 $2,605.65 $32.46 +$15,826
Step 3 $69,932 $2,689.69 $33.51 +$16,336
Step 4 $72,118 $2,773.77 $34.56 +$16,847
Step 5 $74,303 $2,857.81 $35.60 +$17,357
Step 6 $76,489 $2,941.88 $36.65 +$17,868
Step 7 $78,674 $3,025.92 $37.70 +$18,378
Step 8 $80,860 $3,110.00 $38.74 +$18,889
Step 9 $83,045 $3,194.04 $39.79 +$19,399
Step 10 $85,231 $3,278.12 $40.84 +$19,910
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $50,246
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 1 $65,561
  • Locality add-on +$15,315
  • Adjustment percent 30.48%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $65,321
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 10 $85,231

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 2020, the Washington DC pay area adds a 30.48% 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 $2,522 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,278. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 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 2020, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $65,561 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $85,231. This is 30.48% 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 2020, it is 30.48%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,315 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 $2,522 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.