2026 GS-5 Pay in Washington DC
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 33.94% on top of the base GS-5 pay scale. That means a GS-5 Step 1 salary jumps from $34,799 on the base table to $46,610 in Washington DC.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $46,610 | $1,792.69 | $22.33 | +$11,811 |
| Step 2 | $48,163 | $1,852.42 | $23.08 | +$12,204 |
| Step 3 | $49,717 | $1,912.19 | $23.82 | +$12,598 |
| Step 4 | $51,271 | $1,971.96 | $24.57 | +$12,992 |
| Step 5 | $52,825 | $2,031.73 | $25.31 | +$13,386 |
| Step 6 | $54,378 | $2,091.46 | $26.06 | +$13,779 |
| Step 7 | $55,932 | $2,151.23 | $26.80 | +$14,173 |
| Step 8 | $57,486 | $2,211.00 | $27.54 | +$14,567 |
| Step 9 | $59,039 | $2,270.73 | $28.29 | +$14,960 |
| Step 10 | $60,593 | $2,330.50 | $29.03 | +$15,354 |
2026 GS-5 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-5 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $46,610 | $1,792.69 | $22.33 | +$11,811 |
| Step 2 | $48,163 | $1,852.42 | $23.08 | +$12,204 |
| Step 3 | $49,717 | $1,912.19 | $23.82 | +$12,598 |
| Step 4 | $51,271 | $1,971.96 | $24.57 | +$12,992 |
| Step 5 | $52,825 | $2,031.73 | $25.31 | +$13,386 |
| Step 6 | $54,378 | $2,091.46 | $26.06 | +$13,779 |
| Step 7 | $55,932 | $2,151.23 | $26.80 | +$14,173 |
| Step 8 | $57,486 | $2,211.00 | $27.54 | +$14,567 |
| Step 9 | $59,039 | $2,270.73 | $28.29 | +$14,960 |
| Step 10 | $60,593 | $2,330.50 | $29.03 | +$15,354 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Washington DC pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Washington DC: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Washington DC pay area adds a 33.94% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.
Qualifications and career path
Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.
Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.
The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Washington DC
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,793 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,331. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-5 in Washington DC questions
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How much does a GS-5 make in Washington DC?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $46,610 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $60,593. This is 33.94% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Washington DC?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2026, it is 33.94%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,811 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Washington DC?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,793 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.