2025 OPM Pay Calculator: Washington DC
OPM Pay Calculator
Washington DC / Baltimore / Arlington (DC, MD, VA, WV, PA)
Basic Rate: --
Title 5 Overtime Rate: --
* Effective January 2025. Rates incorporate a 1.7% General Schedule Increase, a 33.94% Locality Payment, and a Total Increase of 2.22%.
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How to Use the OPM Pay Calculator: Washington DC
This OPM Pay Calculator simplifies the process of determining federal employee pay rates for the Washington DC / Baltimore / Arlington locality pay area (DC, MD, VA, WV, PA). Follow these simple steps to get accurate results:
1. Select the Pay Rate Type:
- Hourly Rates: If you need to calculate the hourly basic and overtime rates, ensure the “Hourly Rates” tab is selected. This is the default tab when you first load the calculator.
- Annual Rates: To find the annual salary, click the “Annual Rates” tab.
2. Choose the Grade:
- Locate the “Grade” dropdown menu.
- Select the appropriate General Schedule (GS) grade for the employee. Grades range from GS-1 to GS-15.
3. Choose the Step:
- Find the “Step” dropdown menu.
- Select the employee’s step within their grade. Steps range from 1 to 10.
4. View the Results:
- Hourly Rates:
- The “Basic Rate” will display the hourly pay rate for the selected grade and step.
- The “Title 5 Overtime Rate” will display the overtime pay rate for the selected grade and step.
- Annual Rates:
- The “Annual Rate” will display the annual salary for the selected grade and step.
Important Notes:
- The rates displayed are based on the current OPM pay tables for the Washington DC / Baltimore / Arlington locality pay area.
- The rates displayed incorporate a 1.7% General Schedule Increase, a 33.94% Locality Payment, and a Total Increase of 2.22%.
- Ensure you select the correct grade and step for accurate results.
- The overtime rate is calculated based on Title 5 overtime regulations.
- This calculator is designed for informational purposes and should be used as a guide. Always refer to official OPM documentation for definitive pay information.
Understanding the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Schedule (GS) Pay System
The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the federal agency responsible for managing the civilian workforce. It plays a critical role in ensuring the federal government attracts, retains, and motivates a highly qualified workforce to serve the American people.
OPM's Core Functions
- Setting Human Resources Policy: OPM establishes government-wide policies related to federal employment, including pay, benefits, and workforce management.
- Providing Services: The agency offers a wide range of services to federal employees and agencies, such as administering health insurance and retirement programs.
- Overseeing Federal Employment: OPM ensures federal agencies comply with laws and regulations related to human resources, maintaining a fair and effective federal workforce.
- Managing Salaries and Wages: OPM is responsible for creating and maintaining the pay systems that compensate federal employees, including the General Schedule (GS) pay system.
The General Schedule (GS) Pay System
A cornerstone of federal employee compensation is the General Schedule (GS) pay system. This system provides a standardized framework for determining the salaries of the majority of white-collar federal employees.
Key Aspects of the GS Pay System
- Grade Levels: The GS system is structured with 15 grade levels, ranging from GS-1 to GS-15. Each grade level represents a different level of responsibility, skill, and qualification required for the position. Higher grade levels generally correspond to higher salaries.
- Step Increases: Within each GS grade, there are 10 step increases (Step 1 through Step 10). Employees progress through these steps based on their performance and time in service, resulting in incremental salary increases.
- OPM Pay Tables: OPM publishes official pay tables that outline the specific salary rates for each GS grade and step. These tables serve as the foundation for calculating the base pay of federal employees across the United States.
- Locality Pay: In addition to the base pay determined by the GS grade and step, federal employees may also receive locality pay adjustments. These adjustments account for variations in the cost of living across different geographic areas. The OPM also manages these locality pay tables.
Importance of Understanding OPM and the GS Pay System
Understanding the OPM and the GS pay system is crucial for federal employees and anyone interested in federal employment. This system ensures that federal employees are compensated fairly and consistently for their contributions to public service.
Salary Table 2025-DCB: Annual Rates by Grade and Step
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29,949 | 30,954 | 31,949 | 32,941 | 33,935 | 34,516 | 35,502 | 36,495 | 36,535 | 37,463 |
| 2 | 33,675 | 34,476 | 35,592 | 36,535 | 36,945 | 38,031 | 39,117 | 40,203 | 41,290 | 42,376 |
| 3 | 36,745 | 37,969 | 39,194 | 40,418 | 41,642 | 42,866 | 44,090 | 45,315 | 46,539 | 47,763 |
| 4 | 41,247 | 42,622 | 43,998 | 45,374 | 46,749 | 48,125 | 49,500 | 50,876 | 52,251 | 53,627 |
| 5 | 46,148 | 47,685 | 49,223 | 50,761 | 52,298 | 53,836 | 55,373 | 56,911 | 58,449 | 59,986 |
| 6 | 51,442 | 53,157 | 54,871 | 56,586 | 58,300 | 60,014 | 61,729 | 63,443 | 65,158 | 66,872 |
| 7 | 57,164 | 59,070 | 60,976 | 62,882 | 64,788 | 66,694 | 68,600 | 70,506 | 72,412 | 74,318 |
| 8 | 63,307 | 65,418 | 67,529 | 69,639 | 71,750 | 73,861 | 75,972 | 78,083 | 80,194 | 82,305 |
| 9 | 69,923 | 72,254 | 74,584 | 76,915 | 79,246 | 81,576 | 83,907 | 86,237 | 88,568 | 90,898 |
| 10 | 77,001 | 79,567 | 82,133 | 84,700 | 87,266 | 89,832 | 92,399 | 94,965 | 97,531 | 100,097 |
| 11 | 84,601 | 87,420 | 90,239 | 93,059 | 95,878 | 98,698 | 101,517 | 104,337 | 107,156 | 109,975 |
| 12 | 101,401 | 104,781 | 108,162 | 111,543 | 114,923 | 118,304 | 121,684 | 125,065 | 128,446 | 131,826 |
| 13 | 120,579 | 124,599 | 128,619 | 132,638 | 136,658 | 140,677 | 144,697 | 148,716 | 152,736 | 156,755 |
| 14 | 142,488 | 147,238 | 151,987 | 156,737 | 161,486 | 166,236 | 170,985 | 175,735 | 180,484 | 185,234 |
| 15 | 167,603 | 173,190 | 178,776 | 184,363 | 189,950 | 195,200* | 195,200* | 195,200* | 195,200* | 195,200* |
Data Retrieved From: https://www.opm.gov/
Salary Table 2025-DCB: Hourly Basic (B) & Hourly Title 5 Overtime (O) Rates for FLSA-Exempt Employees Rates by Grade and Step
| Grade | B/O | Hourly Rate by Step | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 | ||
| 1 | B | 14.35 | 14.83 | 15.31 | 15.78 | 16.26 | 16.54 | 17.01 | 17.49 | 17.51 | 17.95 |
| O | 21.53 | 22.25 | 22.97 | 23.67 | 24.39 | 24.81 | 25.52 | 26.24 | 26.27 | 26.93 | |
| 2 | B | 16.14 | 16.52 | 17.05 | 17.51 | 17.70 | 18.22 | 18.74 | 19.26 | 19.78 | 20.30 |
| O | 24.21 | 24.78 | 25.58 | 26.27 | 26.55 | 27.33 | 28.11 | 28.89 | 29.67 | 30.45 | |
| 3 | B | 17.61 | 18.19 | 18.78 | 19.37 | 19.95 | 20.54 | 21.13 | 21.71 | 22.30 | 22.89 |
| O | 26.42 | 27.29 | 28.17 | 29.06 | 29.93 | 30.81 | 31.70 | 32.57 | 33.45 | 34.34 | |
| 4 | B | 19.76 | 20.42 | 21.08 | 21.74 | 22.40 | 23.06 | 23.72 | 24.38 | 25.04 | 25.70 |
| O | 29.64 | 30.63 | 31.62 | 32.61 | 33.60 | 34.59 | 35.58 | 36.57 | 37.56 | 38.55 | |
| 5 | B | 22.11 | 22.85 | 23.59 | 24.32 | 25.06 | 25.80 | 26.53 | 27.27 | 28.01 | 28.74 |
| O | 33.17 | 34.28 | 35.39 | 36.48 | 37.59 | 38.70 | 39.80 | 40.91 | 42.02 | 43.11 | |
| 6 | B | 24.65 | 25.47 | 26.29 | 27.11 | 27.93 | 28.76 | 29.58 | 30.40 | 31.22 | 32.04 |
| O | 36.98 | 38.21 | 39.44 | 40.67 | 41.90 | 43.14 | 44.37 | 45.60 | 46.83 | 48.06 | |
| 7 | B | 27.39 | 28.30 | 29.22 | 30.13 | 31.04 | 31.96 | 32.87 | 33.78 | 34.70 | 35.61 |
| O | 41.09 | 42.45 | 43.83 | 45.20 | 46.56 | 47.94 | 49.31 | 50.67 | 52.05 | 53.42 | |
| 8 | B | 30.33 | 31.35 | 32.36 | 33.37 | 34.38 | 35.39 | 36.40 | 37.41 | 38.43 | 39.44 |
| O | 45.50 | 47.03 | 48.54 | 50.06 | 51.57 | 53.09 | 54.60 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | |
| 9 | B | 33.50 | 34.62 | 35.74 | 36.85 | 37.97 | 39.09 | 40.20 | 41.32 | 42.44 | 43.55 |
| O | 50.25 | 51.93 | 53.61 | 55.28 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | |
| 10 | B | 36.90 | 38.13 | 39.35 | 40.58 | 41.81 | 43.04 | 44.27 | 45.50 | 46.73 | 47.96 |
| O | 55.35 (All Steps) | ||||||||||
| 11 | B | 40.54 | 41.89 | 43.24 | 44.59 | 45.94 | 47.29 | 48.64 | 49.99 | 51.34 | 52.70 |
| O | 55.35 (All Steps) | ||||||||||
| 12 | B | 48.59 | 50.21 | 51.83 | 53.45 | 55.07 | 56.69 | 58.31 | 59.93 | 61.55 | 63.17 |
| O | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 55.35 | 56.69 | 58.31 | 59.93 | 61.55 | 63.17 | |
| 13 | B | 57.78 | 59.70 | 61.63 | 63.55 | 65.48 | 67.41 | 69.33 | 71.26 | 73.18 | 75.11 |
| O | Same as Basic Rate | ||||||||||
| 14 | B | 68.27 | 70.55 | 72.83 | 75.10 | 77.38 | 79.65 | 81.93 | 84.20 | 86.48 | 88.76 |
| O | Same as Basic Rate | ||||||||||
| 15 | B | 80.31 | 82.99 | 85.66 | 88.34 | 91.02 | 93.53 (Capped) | ||||
| O | 80.31 | 82.99 | 85.66 | 88.34 | 91.02 | 93.53 (Capped) | |||||
Data Retrieved From: https://www.opm.gov/
Understanding Locality Pay in the Federal Government
Locality pay is a vital element of the federal compensation system, designed to supplement the base General Schedule (GS) pay. Its primary objective is to account for the substantial differences in the cost of living and labor market conditions across various regions of the United States.
Purpose of Locality Pay
- Addressing Cost of Living Variations: Locality pay adjustments help to bridge the gap between the living expenses in different geographic areas, ensuring federal employees can maintain a comparable standard of living.
- Mitigating Pay Disparities: By providing a locality pay adjustment, the federal government seeks to reduce pay disparities between its employees and non-federal workers performing similar jobs in specific regions.
- Ensuring Fair Compensation: This system ensures that federal employees in high-cost areas receive compensation that is commensurate with their counterparts in other parts of the country.
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington Locality Pay
- Relevant Locality Area: For the purposes of this calculator and information, the pertinent locality pay area is the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA region.
- 2025 Locality Pay Percentage: In 2025, the locality pay percentage for this specific region is set at 33.94%. This means that federal employees working within this designated area will receive an additional 33.94% on top of their base GS pay to reflect the local economic conditions.
Calculation and Determination of Locality Pay Rates
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Surveys: The calculation of locality pay rates is based on data gathered through surveys conducted by the BLS. These surveys compare the wages and salaries of federal employees to those of private-sector workers in various geographic areas.
- Methodology: The methodology involves a three-stage weighted average to accurately assess the pay disparities between the federal and private sectors.
- Factors Influencing Adjustments:
- Areas with demonstrably higher non-federal pay rates are more likely to receive a higher locality pay percentage.
- The Federal Salary Council, comprised of experts, provides recommendations on locality pay, including the establishment or modification of pay localities.
- The President and Congress ultimately have the authority to determine and implement these adjustments.
- Factors such as the rate of employment interchange between adjacent areas and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) definitions of metropolitan areas are considered when defining the boundaries of locality pay areas.
Step Increases within GS Grades: Understanding Within-Grade Advancement
The General Schedule (GS) pay system includes a structured approach to within-grade advancement through step increases. This mechanism allows federal employees to progress through salary levels within their assigned GS grade, reflecting their experience and performance.
The Structure of Step Increases
- Ten Steps per Grade: Each GS grade (GS-1 to GS-15) contains ten step increases, ranging from Step 1 to Step 10.
- Approximate 3% Increase: Generally, each step increase represents an approximate 3% increase in the employee’s base salary.
- Performance-Based Advancement: Step increases are not automatic; they are contingent upon an employee demonstrating an “acceptable level of performance” in their role.
Waiting Periods for Step Increases
- Step 1 to Step 4: A waiting period of one year (52 calendar weeks) is required between each step.
- Step 4 to Step 7: A waiting period of two years (104 calendar weeks) is required between each step.
- Step 7 to Step 10: A waiting period of three years (156 calendar weeks) is required between each step.
- Total Progression Time: Consequently, it typically takes approximately 18 years for an employee to advance from Step 1 to Step 10 within a single GS grade, assuming continuous service and satisfactory performance.
Quality Step Increases (QSIs)
- Recognition of Outstanding Performance: Agencies may grant a Quality Step Increase (QSI) to employees who demonstrate exceptional performance.
- Maximum One QSI Per Year: Agencies can award a maximum of one QSI per employee per year.
- Accelerated Advancement: QSIs allow for faster progression through the step increases.
Initial Appointment Step
- Typically Step 1: New federal employees are generally hired at Step 1 of the applicable GS grade.
- Higher Step Rate Authorization: In certain circumstances, agencies may authorize a higher step rate for a newly appointed employee if:
- There is a special need within the agency.
- The prospective employee possesses superior qualifications relevant to the position.
Importance of Understanding Step Increases
- Salary Growth Framework: Understanding the system of step increases is crucial for federal employees as it provides a framework for anticipating potential salary growth and progression throughout their careers within a given GS grade.
- Career Planning: Knowledge of step increases allows employees to better plan their career trajectory within the federal government.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this webpage is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented here, the details may change over time or vary in different jurisdictions. Therefore, we do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or absolute accuracy of this information. The information on this page should not be used as a basis for making legal, financial, or any other key decisions. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified professional or expert in the relevant field for specific advice, guidance, or services. By using this webpage, you acknowledge that the information is offered “as is” and that we are not liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content, nor for any actions taken based on the information provided. We shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your access to, use of, or reliance on any content on this page.
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