2020 GS-6 Pay in Washington DC
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 30.48% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $33,567 on the base table to $43,798 in Washington DC.
2020 GS-6 Pay in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $43,798 | $1,684.54 | $20.99 | +$10,231 |
| Step 2 | $45,258 | $1,740.69 | $21.69 | +$10,572 |
| Step 3 | $46,718 | $1,796.85 | $22.39 | +$10,913 |
| Step 4 | $48,178 | $1,853.00 | $23.08 | +$11,254 |
| Step 5 | $49,639 | $1,909.19 | $23.78 | +$11,596 |
| Step 6 | $51,099 | $1,965.35 | $24.48 | +$11,937 |
| Step 7 | $52,559 | $2,021.50 | $25.18 | +$12,278 |
| Step 8 | $54,019 | $2,077.65 | $25.88 | +$12,619 |
| Step 9 | $55,479 | $2,133.81 | $26.58 | +$12,960 |
| Step 10 | $56,939 | $2,189.96 | $27.28 | +$13,301 |
2020 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $43,798 | $1,684.54 | $20.99 | +$10,231 |
| Step 2 | $45,258 | $1,740.69 | $21.69 | +$10,572 |
| Step 3 | $46,718 | $1,796.85 | $22.39 | +$10,913 |
| Step 4 | $48,178 | $1,853.00 | $23.08 | +$11,254 |
| Step 5 | $49,639 | $1,909.19 | $23.78 | +$11,596 |
| Step 6 | $51,099 | $1,965.35 | $24.48 | +$11,937 |
| Step 7 | $52,559 | $2,021.50 | $25.18 | +$12,278 |
| Step 8 | $54,019 | $2,077.65 | $25.88 | +$12,619 |
| Step 9 | $55,479 | $2,133.81 | $26.58 | +$12,960 |
| Step 10 | $56,939 | $2,189.96 | $27.28 | +$13,301 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Washington DC pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Washington DC: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2020, the Washington DC pay area adds a 30.48% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.
Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Washington DC
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,685 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,190. 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-6 Washington DC page.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-6 in Washington DC questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Washington DC?
In 2020, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $43,798 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $56,939. This is 30.48% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,231 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Washington DC?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,685 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.