UN P-5 Salary in Washington DC, United States

What an internationally recruited Professional (P-5) earns at the UN in Washington DC — the global net base salary plus this duty station's 55% post adjustment and the hardship, danger and non-family allowances on top.

Hardship Category H Post Adjustment 54.6% Cost of living 100 (US=100) HDI Rank #17
Jobs 98 Salary & Benefits Living & Relocation

P-5 salary in Washington DC — at a glance

Internationally recruited Professional & Director (P/D) — the global USD scale plus this station's post adjustment. Recruited locally? See the GS/NO local scale.

USD 159,493
Net rem · step 1
USD 177,487
Net rem · mid
USD 195,478
Net rem · top step
USD Post adjustment +55% 13 steps Hardship H January 2026

Net remuneration = net base + 55% post adjustment (net base USD 103,165–USD 126,441), before hardship/danger allowances and pension.

P-5 salary scale — by step

Global net base (un_scale), effective January 2026, with the 55% post adjustment for Washington DC. Per year, USD.

StepNet basePost adj (+55%)Net remunerationEst. take-home
Step 1USD 103,165USD 56,328USD 159,493USD 136,391
Step 2USD 105,105USD 57,387USD 162,492USD 138,937
Step 3USD 107,047USD 58,448USD 165,495USD 141,485
Step 4USD 108,983USD 59,505USD 168,488USD 144,024
Step 5USD 110,925USD 60,565USD 171,490USD 146,572
Step 6USD 112,861USD 61,622USD 174,483USD 149,112
Step 7USD 114,804USD 62,683USD 177,487USD 151,661
Step 8USD 116,742USD 63,741USD 180,483USD 154,204
Step 9USD 118,683USD 64,801USD 183,484USD 156,751
Step 10USD 120,621USD 65,859USD 186,480USD 159,293
Step 11USD 122,562USD 66,919USD 189,481USD 161,840
Step 12USD 124,498USD 67,976USD 192,474USD 164,380
Step 13USD 126,441USD 69,037USD 195,478USD 166,929

Est. take-home deducts a 7.9% UNJSPF pension and an indicative 2.5% medical premium. Indicative — the estimator below computes single/dependency rates and your exact deductions.

On top of base salary in Washington DC

Allowances an internationally recruited P-5 may receive at this duty station. Annual USD unless noted.

Post adjustmentCost-of-living multiplier on net base+55%
Hardship allowanceICSC category H — no hardship elementNot applicable
Mobility incentiveFrom the 2nd assignment onwardNot at H (HQ) stations
Danger paySecurity-risk designationNot a danger-pay station
Non-family allowanceWhen dependants may not accompany staffFamily duty station
Spouse / single-parent allowanceDependent spouse, or first child if a single parent+6% of net remuneration
Child allowancePer dependent child (flat rate)USD 2,929 / child
See these allowances explained in full for Washington DC — plus cost of living & relocation
Estimate Your Take-Home in United States Beta

A simplified estimate for a UN post at Washington DC, United States, on live ICSC figures — for internationally recruited staff (Professional P / D, in US dollars) or locally recruited staff (General Service / National Officer, local scale).

You must already have 5 years' continuous UN service to qualify, and it applies from your 2nd duty station onward. Paid for up to 5 years at any one station.
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* Health insurance is indicative only — real premiums vary by organization, plan (medical and dental are billed separately) and coverage option. The ~2.5% shown is a placeholder, not a quote.

Indicative estimate — excludes rental subsidy, education grant and settling-in. Professional (P/D) pay is in US dollars; GS/NO on the local scale in local currency. For information only — not official advice.

Other Professional grades in Washington DC

Same duty station, different grade — see the full scale for each.

P-1 P-2 P-3 P-4 D-1 D-2

UN jobs in Washington DC (98 open)

World Bank WBG Pioneer - Knowledge Management and Learning InternWorld Bank · Intern World Bank WBG Pioneer - Neurodiversity - Inclusive Internship ProgramWorld Bank · Intern World Bank WBG Pioneer - Postgraduate Intern – West Africa Strategy and Partnership DevelopmentWorld Bank · Intern World Bank WBG Pioneer - Seismic Risk Management InternWorld Bank · Intern World Bank WBG Pioneer - Real Estate Program Review InternWorld Bank · Intern View all UN jobs in Washington DC

Frequently asked

What is the P-5 salary at the UN in Washington DC?

A Professional P-5 in Washington DC, United States has a net base salary of about USD 103,165 (step 1) to USD 126,441 (top step). With the 55% post adjustment for this duty station, net remuneration is roughly USD 159,906 to USD 195,984 per year, before hardship, danger and other allowances.

How does post adjustment work for a P-5 in Washington DC?

Post adjustment equalises purchasing power across duty stations. In Washington DC it is about 55% of net base salary, added on top — so the same P-5 net base is worth more or less depending on the station's cost of living.

What is the cost of living in Washington DC, United States?

Everyday prices in United States are roughly 100% of United States levels (World Bank price level index, US = 100). Post adjustment is designed to offset this.

These are UN common-system pay figures. The World Bank, IMF and NGOs and other non-UN employers posting in Washington DC set their own pay — a role here does not guarantee these figures.

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