GS-3 Pay — Washington-Baltimore (2026)
This page shows GS-3 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-3 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $37,112 | $17.78 | $1,422.40 |
| Step 2 | $38,350 | $18.38 | $1,470.40 |
| Step 3 | $39,587 | $18.97 | $1,517.60 |
| Step 4 | $40,825 | $19.56 | $1,564.80 |
| Step 5 | $42,063 | $20.15 | $1,612.00 |
| Step 6 | $43,300 | $20.75 | $1,660.00 |
| Step 7 | $44,538 | $21.34 | $1,707.20 |
| Step 8 | $45,775 | $21.93 | $1,754.40 |
| Step 9 | $47,013 | $22.53 | $1,802.40 |
| Step 10 | $48,251 | $23.12 | $1,849.60 |
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) | $31,404 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality | 33.94% |
| Adjusted annual | $42,063 |
| Per month | $3,505 |
| Bi-weekly | $1,612.00 |
| Hourly | $20.15 |
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-3 in every locality
- GS-2 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-4 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-3 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-3 in New York-Newark
- GS-3 in San Jose-San Francisco
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-3 make in Washington-Baltimore?
For 2026, GS-3 in Washington-Baltimore ranges from $37,112 at the first step to $48,251 at the top step, with $42,063 near the middle.
How is Washington-Baltimore locality pay calculated?
The GS-3 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-3 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.