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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$68,405 GS-9 Step 1 in Washington DC (2024)
$88,926 GS-9 Step 10 in Washington DC (2024)
+$17,073 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-9 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 33.26% 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 $68,405 $2,630.96 $32.78 +$17,073
Step 2 $70,685 $2,718.65 $33.87 +$17,642
Step 3 $72,965 $2,806.35 $34.96 +$18,211
Step 4 $75,245 $2,894.04 $36.05 +$18,780
Step 5 $77,525 $2,981.73 $37.15 +$19,349
Step 6 $79,805 $3,069.42 $38.24 +$19,918
Step 7 $82,085 $3,157.12 $39.33 +$20,487
Step 8 $84,366 $3,244.85 $40.42 +$21,057
Step 9 $86,646 $3,332.54 $41.52 +$21,626
Step 10 $88,926 $3,420.23 $42.61 +$22,195
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $51,332
  • Washington DC GS-9 Step 1 $68,405
  • Locality add-on +$17,073
  • Adjustment percent 33.26%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $66,731
  • Washington DC GS-9 Step 10 $88,926

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 2024, the Washington DC pay area adds a 33.26% 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 $2,631 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,420. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 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 2024, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $68,405 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $88,926. This is 33.26% 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 2024, it is 33.26%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,073 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 $2,631 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.