2021 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 $33,903 on the base table to $44,237 in Washington DC.
2021 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 | $44,237 | $1,701.42 | $21.20 | +$10,334 |
| Step 2 | $45,711 | $1,758.12 | $21.90 | +$10,678 |
| Step 3 | $47,185 | $1,814.81 | $22.61 | +$11,022 |
| Step 4 | $48,660 | $1,871.54 | $23.32 | +$11,367 |
| Step 5 | $50,134 | $1,928.23 | $24.02 | +$11,711 |
| Step 6 | $51,609 | $1,984.96 | $24.73 | +$12,056 |
| Step 7 | $53,083 | $2,041.65 | $25.44 | +$12,400 |
| Step 8 | $54,558 | $2,098.38 | $26.14 | +$12,745 |
| Step 9 | $56,032 | $2,155.08 | $26.85 | +$13,089 |
| Step 10 | $57,506 | $2,211.77 | $27.55 | +$13,433 |
2021 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 | $44,237 | $1,701.42 | $21.20 | +$10,334 |
| Step 2 | $45,711 | $1,758.12 | $21.90 | +$10,678 |
| Step 3 | $47,185 | $1,814.81 | $22.61 | +$11,022 |
| Step 4 | $48,660 | $1,871.54 | $23.32 | +$11,367 |
| Step 5 | $50,134 | $1,928.23 | $24.02 | +$11,711 |
| Step 6 | $51,609 | $1,984.96 | $24.73 | +$12,056 |
| Step 7 | $53,083 | $2,041.65 | $25.44 | +$12,400 |
| Step 8 | $54,558 | $2,098.38 | $26.14 | +$12,745 |
| Step 9 | $56,032 | $2,155.08 | $26.85 | +$13,089 |
| Step 10 | $57,506 | $2,211.77 | $27.55 | +$13,433 |
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 2021, 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 $1,701 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,212. 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-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 2021, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $44,237 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $57,506. 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 2021, it is 30.48%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,334 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 $1,701 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.