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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,001 GS-10 Step 1 in Washington DC (2025)
$100,097 GS-10 Step 10 in Washington DC (2025)
+$19,512 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-10 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 33.94% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-10 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $77,001 $2,961.58 $36.90 +$19,512
Step 2 $79,567 $3,060.27 $38.13 +$20,162
Step 3 $82,133 $3,158.96 $39.35 +$20,812
Step 4 $84,700 $3,257.69 $40.58 +$21,463
Step 5 $87,266 $3,356.38 $41.81 +$22,113
Step 6 $89,832 $3,455.08 $43.04 +$22,763
Step 7 $92,399 $3,553.81 $44.27 +$23,414
Step 8 $94,965 $3,652.50 $45.50 +$24,064
Step 9 $97,531 $3,751.19 $46.73 +$24,714
Step 10 $100,097 $3,849.88 $47.96 +$25,364
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $57,489
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 1 $77,001
  • Locality add-on +$19,512
  • Adjustment percent 33.94%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $74,733
  • Washington DC GS-10 Step 10 $100,097

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-10 in Washington DC: what to expect

Senior technician and supervisory positions, and full-performance roles in a handful of occupations such as Border Patrol and IT.

For 2025, the Washington DC pay area adds a 33.94% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-10 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-9 level, plus agency-specific requirements.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-11 after one year of creditable experience in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-10 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-10 in Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,962 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,850. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-10 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-10 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-10 make in Washington DC?
    In 2025, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $77,001 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,097. This is 33.94% higher than the base GS-10 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-10 in Washington DC?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2025, it is 33.94%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,512 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-10 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-10 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $2,962 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.