2026 GS Pay Scale in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted federal General Schedule salaries for the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA pay area. Base rates plus the 33.94% Washington DC locality adjustment, effective January 2026.
🏛️ Source: Base rates from U.S. OPM Salary Table 2026-GS; the 33.94% locality adjustment is the official 2026 rate for the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA area. Public government record.
33.94%
Locality adjustment
$102,415
GS-12 Step 1 here
$121,785
GS-13 Step 1 here
$220,065
GS-15 Step 10 (top)
2026 GS pay table for Washington DC (Step 1, 5, 10)
Locality-adjusted salaries by grade. Every grade has 10 steps; entry, mid, and top shown.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $30,249 | $34,274 | $37,835 |
| GS-2 | $34,011 | $37,313 | $42,798 |
| GS-3 | $37,112 | $42,063 | $48,251 |
| GS-4 | $41,659 | $47,215 | $54,160 |
| GS-5 | $46,610 | $52,825 | $60,593 |
| GS-6 | $51,957 | $58,884 | $67,543 |
| GS-7 | $57,736 | $65,435 | $75,059 |
| GS-8 | $63,940 | $72,464 | $83,119 |
| GS-9 | $70,623 | $80,041 | $91,815 |
| GS-10 | $77,771 | $88,138 | $101,097 |
| GS-11 | $85,447 | $96,843 | $111,087 |
| GS-12 | $102,415 | $116,071 | $133,142 |
| GS-13 | $121,785 | $138,024 | $158,322 |
| GS-14 | $143,913 | $163,104 | $187,093 |
| GS-15 | $169,279 | $191,850 | $220,065 |
Take-home pay in Washington DC after taxes
Estimated take-home on the locality-adjusted salary (single filer, federal tax + Social Security + Medicare; DC/state tax varies and is not included here):
| Grade / Step | Salary | Take-home (no state) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 Step 1 | $46,610 | ~$39,435 | ~$3,286 |
| GS-7 Step 1 | $57,736 | ~$48,375 | ~$4,031 |
| GS-9 Step 1 | $70,623 | ~$57,842 | ~$4,820 |
| GS-11 Step 1 | $85,447 | ~$68,271 | ~$5,689 |
| GS-12 Step 1 | $102,415 | ~$80,208 | ~$6,684 |
| GS-13 Step 1 | $121,785 | ~$93,702 | ~$7,809 |
Take-home excludes state/local income tax, FERS retirement, and TSP. Use our after-tax calculator for a full picture.
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