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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$86,663 GS-12 Step 1 in San Francisco (2017)
$112,665 GS-12 Step 10 in San Francisco (2017)
+$23,941 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 38.17% 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 $86,663 $3,333.19 $41.53 +$23,941
Step 2 $89,552 $3,444.31 $42.91 +$24,739
Step 3 $92,441 $3,555.42 $44.29 +$25,537
Step 4 $95,330 $3,666.54 $45.68 +$26,335
Step 5 $98,220 $3,777.69 $47.06 +$27,134
Step 6 $101,109 $3,888.81 $48.45 +$27,932
Step 7 $103,998 $3,999.92 $49.83 +$28,730
Step 8 $106,887 $4,111.04 $51.22 +$29,528
Step 9 $109,776 $4,222.15 $52.60 +$30,326
Step 10 $112,665 $4,333.27 $53.98 +$31,124
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • San Francisco GS-12 Step 1 $86,663
  • Locality add-on +$23,941
  • Adjustment percent 38.17%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • San Francisco GS-12 Step 10 $112,665

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 2017, the San Francisco pay area adds a 38.17% 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 $3,333 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,333. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $86,663 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $112,665. This is 38.17% 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 2017, it is 38.17%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,941 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 $3,333 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.