Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality area. Covers the DC metropolitan area including Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania.
The Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality rate of 33.94% ranks #3 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is one of the highest-paying localities, reflecting a significantly higher cost of labor compared to the national average. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers the DC metropolitan area including Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania.
Major federal employers in Washington, DC include DOD, VA, DHS, DOJ, DOS, OPM, GSA, FBI, NIH. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Washington, DC but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Washington, DC locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $46,610 | $48,163 | $49,717 | $51,271 | $52,825 | $54,378 | $55,932 | $57,486 | $59,039 | $60,593 |
| GS-7 | $57,736 | $59,661 | $61,586 | $63,510 | $65,435 | $67,360 | $69,284 | $71,209 | $73,134 | $75,059 |
| GS-9 | $70,623 | $72,977 | $75,332 | $77,687 | $80,041 | $82,396 | $84,751 | $87,105 | $89,460 | $91,815 |
| GS-11 | $85,447 | $88,296 | $91,145 | $93,994 | $96,843 | $99,692 | $102,540 | $105,389 | $108,238 | $111,087 |
| GS-12 | $102,415 | $105,829 | $109,243 | $112,657 | $116,071 | $119,485 | $122,899 | $126,313 | $129,728 | $133,142 |
| GS-13 | $121,785 | $125,845 | $129,904 | $133,964 | $138,024 | $142,084 | $146,143 | $150,203 | $154,263 | $158,322 |
| GS-14 | $143,913 | $148,711 | $153,509 | $158,306 | $163,104 | $167,902 | $172,700 | $177,497 | $182,295 | $187,093 |
| GS-15 | $169,279 | $174,922 | $180,565 | $186,207 | $191,850 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality area.
About GS Pay
| Position | Washington, DC +33.94% | Richmond, VA +21.06% | Philadelphia, PA +26.23% | Harrisburg, PA +18.82% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $102,415 | $92,566 -$9,849 | $96,519 -$5,896 | $90,853 -$11,562 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $116,071 | $104,909 -$11,162 | $109,390 -$6,681 | $102,968 -$13,103 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $138,024 | $124,751 -$13,273 | $130,079 -$7,945 | $122,443 -$15,581 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $195,222 -$1,978 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Washington, DC.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Philadelphia, PA earn $6,681 less per year than those in Washington, DC, while those in Harrisburg, PA earn $13,103 less.
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Washington, DC locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Washington, DC Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $57,736 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $70,623 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $85,447 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $109,243 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $138,024 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $187,093 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Compare pay across all 49 locality areas.
Calculate your highest 3 consecutive years of pay for retirement.
Estimate your federal pension based on your high-3 salary.
Project your Thrift Savings Plan growth and withdrawals.
Estimate federal severance pay based on years of service.
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
A GS-12 in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality area earns between $102,415 (Step 1) and $133,142 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 33.94% locality adjustment applied.
The Washington, DC locality pay adjustment is 33.94% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.3394 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $116,071.
Washington, DC has a 33.94% locality rate. Nearby areas include Richmond, VA (21.06%), Philadelphia, PA (26.23%), Harrisburg, PA (18.82%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
GS salaries in Washington, DC are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 33.94% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Major federal employers in the Washington, DC area include DOD, VA, DHS, DOJ, DOS, OPM, GSA, FBI, NIH. Covers the DC metropolitan area including Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania.
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Washington, DC area at 33.94% reflects the local cost of labor.