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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$50,532 GS-6 Step 1 in Seattle (2025)
$65,689 GS-6 Step 10 in Seattle (2025)
+$12,125 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-6 pay table for Seattle

Each step below already includes the 31.57% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $50,532 $1,943.54 $24.21 +$12,125
Step 2 $52,216 $2,008.31 $25.02 +$12,529
Step 3 $53,900 $2,073.08 $25.83 +$12,933
Step 4 $55,584 $2,137.85 $26.63 +$13,337
Step 5 $57,268 $2,202.62 $27.44 +$13,741
Step 6 $58,953 $2,267.42 $28.25 +$14,146
Step 7 $60,637 $2,332.19 $29.05 +$14,550
Step 8 $62,321 $2,396.96 $29.86 +$14,954
Step 9 $64,005 $2,461.73 $30.67 +$15,358
Step 10 $65,689 $2,526.50 $31.48 +$15,762
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Seattle pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $38,407
  • Seattle GS-6 Step 1 $50,532
  • Locality add-on +$12,125
  • Adjustment percent 31.57%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $49,927
  • Seattle GS-6 Step 10 $65,689

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-6 in Seattle: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2025, the Seattle pay area adds a 31.57% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Seattle

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,944 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,527. 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-6 Seattle page.

Other grades in Seattle

GS-6 in Seattle questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Seattle?
    In 2025, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $50,532 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $65,689. This is 31.57% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Seattle?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2025, it is 31.57%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,125 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Seattle?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $1,944 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.