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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$81,332 GS-12 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2018)
$105,731 GS-12 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2018)
+$17,732 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for SAN DIEGO

Each step below already includes the 27.88% 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 $81,332 $3,128.15 $38.97 +$17,732
Step 2 $84,043 $3,232.42 $40.27 +$18,323
Step 3 $86,754 $3,336.69 $41.57 +$18,914
Step 4 $89,465 $3,440.96 $42.87 +$19,505
Step 5 $92,176 $3,545.23 $44.17 +$20,096
Step 6 $94,887 $3,649.50 $45.47 +$20,687
Step 7 $97,598 $3,753.77 $46.76 +$21,278
Step 8 $100,309 $3,858.04 $48.06 +$21,869
Step 9 $103,020 $3,962.31 $49.36 +$22,460
Step 10 $105,731 $4,066.58 $50.66 +$23,051
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • SAN DIEGO GS-12 Step 1 $81,332
  • Locality add-on +$17,732
  • Adjustment percent 27.88%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • SAN DIEGO GS-12 Step 10 $105,731

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 2018, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 27.88% 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 $3,128 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,067. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 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 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $81,332 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,731. This is 27.88% 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 2018, it is 27.88%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,732 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 $3,128 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.