2023 GS-15 Pay in Washington DC
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 32.49% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $155,700 in Washington DC.
2023 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 | $155,700 | $5,988.46 | $74.60 | +$38,182 |
| Step 2 | $160,889 | $6,188.04 | $77.09 | +$39,454 |
| Step 3 | $166,079 | $6,387.65 | $79.58 | +$40,727 |
| Step 4 | $171,268 | $6,587.23 | $82.06 | +$41,999 |
| Step 5 | $176,458 | $6,786.85 | $84.55 | +$43,272 |
| Step 6 | $181,648 | $6,986.46 | $87.04 | +$44,545 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Washington DC
Each step below already includes the 32.49% 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 | $155,700 | $5,988.46 | $74.60 | +$38,182 |
| Step 2 | $160,889 | $6,188.04 | $77.09 | +$39,454 |
| Step 3 | $166,079 | $6,387.65 | $79.58 | +$40,727 |
| Step 4 | $171,268 | $6,587.23 | $82.06 | +$41,999 |
| Step 5 | $176,458 | $6,786.85 | $84.55 | +$43,272 |
| Step 6 | $181,648 | $6,986.46 | $87.04 | +$44,545 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
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 2023, the Washington DC pay area adds a 32.49% 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 $5,988 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2023 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 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $155,700 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 32.49% 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 2023, it is 32.49%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $38,182 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 $5,988 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.