2026 GS-13 Pay in Seattle
GS-13 employees with a duty station in Seattle-Tacoma, WA earn 31.57% on top of the base GS-13 pay scale. That means a GS-13 Step 1 salary jumps from $90,925 on the base table to $119,630 in Seattle.
2026 GS-13 Pay in Seattle
Locality-adjusted GS-13 rates for Seattle-Tacoma, WA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $119,630 | $4,601.15 | $57.32 | +$28,705 |
| Step 2 | $123,618 | $4,754.54 | $59.23 | +$29,662 |
| Step 3 | $127,606 | $4,907.92 | $61.14 | +$30,619 |
| Step 4 | $131,594 | $5,061.31 | $63.05 | +$31,576 |
| Step 5 | $135,582 | $5,214.69 | $64.97 | +$32,533 |
| Step 6 | $139,569 | $5,368.04 | $66.88 | +$33,489 |
| Step 7 | $143,557 | $5,521.42 | $68.79 | +$34,446 |
| Step 8 | $147,545 | $5,674.81 | $70.70 | +$35,403 |
| Step 9 | $151,533 | $5,828.19 | $72.61 | +$36,360 |
| Step 10 | $155,521 | $5,981.58 | $74.52 | +$37,317 |
2026 GS-13 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-13 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $119,630 | $4,601.15 | $57.32 | +$28,705 |
| Step 2 | $123,618 | $4,754.54 | $59.23 | +$29,662 |
| Step 3 | $127,606 | $4,907.92 | $61.14 | +$30,619 |
| Step 4 | $131,594 | $5,061.31 | $63.05 | +$31,576 |
| Step 5 | $135,582 | $5,214.69 | $64.97 | +$32,533 |
| Step 6 | $139,569 | $5,368.04 | $66.88 | +$33,489 |
| Step 7 | $143,557 | $5,521.42 | $68.79 | +$34,446 |
| Step 8 | $147,545 | $5,674.81 | $70.70 | +$35,403 |
| Step 9 | $151,533 | $5,828.19 | $72.61 | +$36,360 |
| Step 10 | $155,521 | $5,981.58 | $74.52 | +$37,317 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Seattle pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-13 in Seattle: what to expect
Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.
For 2026, the Seattle pay area adds a 31.57% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.
Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.
The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in Seattle
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $4,601 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,982. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Seattle
GS-13 in Seattle questions
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How much does a GS-13 make in Seattle?
In 2026, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns $119,630 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $155,521. This is 31.57% higher than the base GS-13 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in Seattle?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Seattle in 2026, it is 31.57%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,705 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Seattle?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Seattle earns roughly $4,601 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.