GS-5 Pay — Washington-Baltimore (2026)
This page shows GS-5 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-5 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $46,610 | $22.33 | $1,786.40 |
| Step 2 | $48,163 | $23.08 | $1,846.40 |
| Step 3 | $49,717 | $23.82 | $1,905.60 |
| Step 4 | $51,271 | $24.57 | $1,965.60 |
| Step 5 | $52,825 | $25.31 | $2,024.80 |
| Step 6 | $54,378 | $26.06 | $2,084.80 |
| Step 7 | $55,932 | $26.80 | $2,144.00 |
| Step 8 | $57,486 | $27.54 | $2,203.20 |
| Step 9 | $59,039 | $28.29 | $2,263.20 |
| Step 10 | $60,593 | $29.03 | $2,322.40 |
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) | $39,439 |
| Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality | 33.94% |
| Adjusted annual | $52,825 |
| Per month | $4,402 |
| Bi-weekly | $2,024.80 |
| Hourly | $25.31 |
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-5 in every locality
- GS-4 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-6 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-5 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-5 in New York-Newark
- GS-5 in San Jose-San Francisco
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-5 make in Washington-Baltimore?
For 2026, GS-5 in Washington-Baltimore ranges from $46,610 at the first step to $60,593 at the top step, with $52,825 near the middle.
How is Washington-Baltimore locality pay calculated?
The GS-5 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-5 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.