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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,098 GS-12 Step 1 in San Francisco (2015)
$108,034 GS-12 Step 10 in San Francisco (2015)
+$21,612 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 35.15% 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 $83,098 $3,196.08 $39.82 +$21,612
Step 2 $85,869 $3,302.65 $41.14 +$22,333
Step 3 $88,639 $3,409.19 $42.47 +$23,053
Step 4 $91,410 $3,515.77 $43.80 +$23,774
Step 5 $94,181 $3,622.35 $45.13 +$24,495
Step 6 $96,951 $3,728.88 $46.45 +$25,215
Step 7 $99,722 $3,835.46 $47.78 +$25,936
Step 8 $102,492 $3,942.00 $49.11 +$26,656
Step 9 $105,263 $4,048.58 $50.44 +$27,377
Step 10 $108,034 $4,155.15 $51.77 +$28,098
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • San Francisco GS-12 Step 1 $83,098
  • Locality add-on +$21,612
  • Adjustment percent 35.15%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • San Francisco GS-12 Step 10 $108,034

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 Francisco: 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 Francisco pay area adds a 35.15% 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 Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $3,196 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,155. 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 Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-12 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in San Francisco?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $83,098 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $108,034. This is 35.15% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in San Francisco?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Francisco in 2015, it is 35.15%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,612 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $3,196 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.