2026 GS-6 Pay in Washington DC
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 33.94% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $38,791 on the base table to $51,957 in Washington DC.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $51,957 | $1,998.35 | $24.90 | +$13,166 |
| Step 2 | $53,689 | $2,064.96 | $25.73 | +$13,605 |
| Step 3 | $55,420 | $2,131.54 | $26.55 | +$14,043 |
| Step 4 | $57,152 | $2,198.15 | $27.38 | +$14,482 |
| Step 5 | $58,884 | $2,264.77 | $28.21 | +$14,921 |
| Step 6 | $60,616 | $2,331.38 | $29.04 | +$15,360 |
| Step 7 | $62,348 | $2,398.00 | $29.87 | +$15,799 |
| Step 8 | $64,080 | $2,464.62 | $30.70 | +$16,238 |
| Step 9 | $65,811 | $2,531.19 | $31.53 | +$16,676 |
| Step 10 | $67,543 | $2,597.81 | $32.36 | +$17,115 |
2026 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $51,957 | $1,998.35 | $24.90 | +$13,166 |
| Step 2 | $53,689 | $2,064.96 | $25.73 | +$13,605 |
| Step 3 | $55,420 | $2,131.54 | $26.55 | +$14,043 |
| Step 4 | $57,152 | $2,198.15 | $27.38 | +$14,482 |
| Step 5 | $58,884 | $2,264.77 | $28.21 | +$14,921 |
| Step 6 | $60,616 | $2,331.38 | $29.04 | +$15,360 |
| Step 7 | $62,348 | $2,398.00 | $29.87 | +$15,799 |
| Step 8 | $64,080 | $2,464.62 | $30.70 | +$16,238 |
| Step 9 | $65,811 | $2,531.19 | $31.53 | +$16,676 |
| Step 10 | $67,543 | $2,597.81 | $32.36 | +$17,115 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Washington DC pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Washington DC: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Washington DC pay area adds a 33.94% 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 Washington DC
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,998 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,598. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-6 in Washington DC questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Washington DC?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $51,957 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $67,543. This is 33.94% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,166 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Washington DC?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,998 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.