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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$42,767 GS-6 Step 1 in San Francisco (2016)
$55,595 GS-6 Step 10 in San Francisco (2016)
+$11,263 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $42,767 $1,644.88 $20.49 +$11,263
Step 2 $44,192 $1,699.69 $21.17 +$11,638
Step 3 $45,617 $1,754.50 $21.86 +$12,013
Step 4 $47,043 $1,809.35 $22.54 +$12,389
Step 5 $48,468 $1,864.15 $23.22 +$12,764
Step 6 $49,894 $1,919.00 $23.91 +$13,140
Step 7 $51,319 $1,973.81 $24.59 +$13,515
Step 8 $52,744 $2,028.62 $25.27 +$13,890
Step 9 $54,170 $2,083.46 $25.96 +$14,266
Step 10 $55,595 $2,138.27 $26.64 +$14,641
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $31,504
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 1 $42,767
  • Locality add-on +$11,263
  • Adjustment percent 35.75%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $40,954
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 10 $55,595

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-6 in San Francisco: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2016, the San Francisco pay area adds a 35.75% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in San Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $1,645 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,138. 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-6 San Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-6 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in San Francisco?
    In 2016, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $42,767 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $55,595. This is 35.75% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,263 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $1,645 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.