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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$96,713 GS-13 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2018)
$125,728 GS-13 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2018)
+$21,085 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $96,713 $3,719.73 $46.34 +$21,085
Step 2 $99,937 $3,843.73 $47.89 +$21,788
Step 3 $103,161 $3,967.73 $49.43 +$22,491
Step 4 $106,385 $4,091.73 $50.98 +$23,194
Step 5 $109,609 $4,215.73 $52.52 +$23,897
Step 6 $112,832 $4,339.69 $54.06 +$24,599
Step 7 $116,056 $4,463.69 $55.61 +$25,302
Step 8 $119,280 $4,587.69 $57.15 +$26,005
Step 9 $122,504 $4,711.69 $58.70 +$26,708
Step 10 $125,728 $4,835.69 $60.24 +$27,411
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $75,628
  • SAN DIEGO GS-13 Step 1 $96,713
  • Locality add-on +$21,085
  • Adjustment percent 27.88%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $98,317
  • SAN DIEGO GS-13 Step 10 $125,728

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-13 in SAN DIEGO: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2018, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 27.88% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in SAN DIEGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $3,720 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,836. 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-13 SAN DIEGO page.

Other grades in SAN DIEGO

GS-13 in SAN DIEGO questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in SAN DIEGO?
    In 2018, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $96,713 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $125,728. This is 27.88% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,085 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in SAN DIEGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $3,720 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.