2022 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 31.53% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $148,484 in Washington DC.
2022 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 | $148,484 | $5,710.92 | $71.15 | +$35,594 |
| Step 2 | $153,434 | $5,901.31 | $73.52 | +$36,781 |
| Step 3 | $158,383 | $6,091.65 | $75.89 | +$37,967 |
| Step 4 | $163,333 | $6,282.04 | $78.26 | +$39,154 |
| Step 5 | $168,282 | $6,472.38 | $80.63 | +$40,340 |
| Step 6 | $173,232 | $6,662.77 | $83.01 | +$41,527 |
| Step 7 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$40,832 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
2022 GS-15 pay table for Washington DC
Each step below already includes the 31.53% 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 | $148,484 | $5,710.92 | $71.15 | +$35,594 |
| Step 2 | $153,434 | $5,901.31 | $73.52 | +$36,781 |
| Step 3 | $158,383 | $6,091.65 | $75.89 | +$37,967 |
| Step 4 | $163,333 | $6,282.04 | $78.26 | +$39,154 |
| Step 5 | $168,282 | $6,472.38 | $80.63 | +$40,340 |
| Step 6 | $173,232 | $6,662.77 | $83.01 | +$41,527 |
| Step 7 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$40,832 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
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 2022, the Washington DC pay area adds a 31.53% 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 $5,711 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2022 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Washington DC page.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-15 in Washington DC questions
-
How much does a GS-15 make in Washington DC?
In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $148,484 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 31.53% 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 2022, it is 31.53%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $35,594 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 $5,711 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.