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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$84,302 GS-12 Step 1 in San Francisco (2016)
$109,592 GS-12 Step 10 in San Francisco (2016)
+$22,201 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 35.75% 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 $84,302 $3,242.38 $40.39 +$22,201
Step 2 $87,112 $3,350.46 $41.74 +$22,941
Step 3 $89,922 $3,458.54 $43.09 +$23,681
Step 4 $92,732 $3,566.62 $44.43 +$24,421
Step 5 $95,542 $3,674.69 $45.78 +$25,161
Step 6 $98,352 $3,782.77 $47.13 +$25,901
Step 7 $101,162 $3,890.85 $48.47 +$26,641
Step 8 $103,972 $3,998.92 $49.82 +$27,381
Step 9 $106,782 $4,107.00 $51.17 +$28,121
Step 10 $109,592 $4,215.08 $52.51 +$28,861
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • San Francisco GS-12 Step 1 $84,302
  • Locality add-on +$22,201
  • Adjustment percent 35.75%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • San Francisco GS-12 Step 10 $109,592

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 2016, the San Francisco pay area adds a 35.75% 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 $3,242 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,215. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $84,302 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $109,592. This is 35.75% 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 2016, it is 35.75%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,201 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 $3,242 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.