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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$61,947 GS-9 Step 1 in Washington DC (2022)
$80,532 GS-9 Step 10 in Washington DC (2022)
+$14,850 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $61,947 $2,382.58 $29.68 +$14,850
Step 2 $64,012 $2,462.00 $30.67 +$15,345
Step 3 $66,077 $2,541.42 $31.66 +$15,840
Step 4 $68,142 $2,620.85 $32.65 +$16,335
Step 5 $70,207 $2,700.27 $33.64 +$16,830
Step 6 $72,272 $2,779.69 $34.63 +$17,325
Step 7 $74,337 $2,859.12 $35.62 +$17,820
Step 8 $76,402 $2,938.54 $36.61 +$18,315
Step 9 $78,467 $3,017.96 $37.60 +$18,810
Step 10 $80,532 $3,097.38 $38.59 +$19,305
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $47,097
  • Washington DC GS-9 Step 1 $61,947
  • Locality add-on +$14,850
  • Adjustment percent 31.53%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $61,227
  • Washington DC GS-9 Step 10 $80,532

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-9 in Washington DC: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2022, the Washington DC pay area adds a 31.53% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-9 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,383 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,097. 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-9 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-9 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Washington DC?
    In 2022, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $61,947 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $80,532. This is 31.53% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,850 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,383 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.