An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,359 GS-12 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2015)
$99,273 GS-12 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2015)
+$14,873 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for SAN DIEGO

Each step below already includes the 24.19% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $76,359 $2,936.88 $36.59 +$14,873
Step 2 $78,905 $3,034.81 $37.81 +$15,369
Step 3 $81,451 $3,132.73 $39.03 +$15,865
Step 4 $83,997 $3,230.65 $40.25 +$16,361
Step 5 $86,543 $3,328.58 $41.47 +$16,857
Step 6 $89,089 $3,426.50 $42.69 +$17,353
Step 7 $91,635 $3,524.42 $43.91 +$17,849
Step 8 $94,181 $3,622.35 $45.13 +$18,345
Step 9 $96,727 $3,720.27 $46.35 +$18,841
Step 10 $99,273 $3,818.19 $47.57 +$19,337
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • SAN DIEGO GS-12 Step 1 $76,359
  • Locality add-on +$14,873
  • Adjustment percent 24.19%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • SAN DIEGO GS-12 Step 10 $99,273

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-12 in SAN DIEGO: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2015, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 24.19% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in SAN DIEGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $2,937 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,818. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 SAN DIEGO page.

Other grades in SAN DIEGO

GS-12 in SAN DIEGO questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in SAN DIEGO?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $76,359 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $99,273. This is 24.19% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in SAN DIEGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SAN DIEGO in 2015, it is 24.19%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,873 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in SAN DIEGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $2,937 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.