2021 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 30.48% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $110,460 on the base table to $144,128 in Washington DC.
2021 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 | $144,128 | $5,543.38 | $69.06 | +$33,668 |
| Step 2 | $148,932 | $5,728.15 | $71.36 | +$34,790 |
| Step 3 | $153,737 | $5,912.96 | $73.66 | +$35,913 |
| Step 4 | $158,541 | $6,097.73 | $75.97 | +$37,035 |
| Step 5 | $163,345 | $6,282.50 | $78.27 | +$38,157 |
| Step 6 | $168,150 | $6,467.31 | $80.57 | +$39,280 |
| Step 7 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$39,948 |
| Step 8 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$36,266 |
| Step 9 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$32,584 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
2021 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $144,128 | $5,543.38 | $69.06 | +$33,668 |
| Step 2 | $148,932 | $5,728.15 | $71.36 | +$34,790 |
| Step 3 | $153,737 | $5,912.96 | $73.66 | +$35,913 |
| Step 4 | $158,541 | $6,097.73 | $75.97 | +$37,035 |
| Step 5 | $163,345 | $6,282.50 | $78.27 | +$38,157 |
| Step 6 | $168,150 | $6,467.31 | $80.57 | +$39,280 |
| Step 7 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$39,948 |
| Step 8 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$36,266 |
| Step 9 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$32,584 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
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 2021, the Washington DC pay area adds a 30.48% 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 $5,543 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,635. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2021 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 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $144,128 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. This is 30.48% 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 2021, it is 30.48%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $33,668 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 $5,543 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.