GS-1 Pay — Washington-Baltimore (2026)
This page shows GS-1 pay in the Washington-Baltimore locality pay area for 2026. The Washington-Baltimore area adds 33.94% in locality pay on top of the GS-1 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $30,249 | $14.49 | $1,159.20 |
| Step 2 | $31,263 | $14.98 | $1,198.40 |
| Step 3 | $32,269 | $15.46 | $1,236.80 |
| Step 4 | $33,271 | $15.94 | $1,275.20 |
| Step 5 | $34,274 | $16.42 | $1,313.60 |
| Step 6 | $34,862 | $16.70 | $1,336.00 |
| Step 7 | $35,857 | $17.18 | $1,374.40 |
| Step 8 | $36,859 | $17.66 | $1,412.80 |
| Step 9 | $36,900 | $17.68 | $1,414.40 |
| Step 10 | $37,835 | $18.13 | $1,450.40 |
Locality pay is calculated as the base rate multiplied by one plus the locality percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Check another grade, step or locality
| Base pay (before locality) | $25,589 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality | 33.94% |
| Adjusted annual | $34,274 |
| Per month | $2,856 |
| Bi-weekly | $1,313.60 |
| Hourly | $16.42 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Washington-Baltimore GS scale
- GS-1 in every locality
- GS-2 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-1 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-1 in New York-Newark
- GS-1 in San Jose-San Francisco
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-1 make in Washington-Baltimore?
For 2026, GS-1 in Washington-Baltimore ranges from $30,249 at the first step to $37,835 at the top step, with $34,274 near the middle.
How is Washington-Baltimore locality pay calculated?
The GS-1 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Washington-Baltimore locality percentage of 33.94%, then rounded to the nearest dollar.
What is the 2026 raise?
For 2026, the across-the-board base rate rose while locality percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so the Washington-Baltimore rate remained 33.94%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-1 figures for Washington-Baltimore are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-DCB · effective January 11, 2026 · Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA, 33.94% locality. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.