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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$105,335 GS-13 Step 1 in San Francisco (2018)
$136,936 GS-13 Step 10 in San Francisco (2018)
+$29,707 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-13 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 39.28% 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 $105,335 $4,051.35 $50.47 +$29,707
Step 2 $108,846 $4,186.38 $52.15 +$30,697
Step 3 $112,357 $4,321.42 $53.84 +$31,687
Step 4 $115,868 $4,456.46 $55.52 +$32,677
Step 5 $119,380 $4,591.54 $57.20 +$33,668
Step 6 $122,891 $4,726.58 $58.88 +$34,658
Step 7 $126,402 $4,861.62 $60.57 +$35,648
Step 8 $129,913 $4,996.65 $62.25 +$36,638
Step 9 $133,425 $5,131.73 $63.93 +$37,629
Step 10 $136,936 $5,266.77 $65.61 +$38,619
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $75,628
  • San Francisco GS-13 Step 1 $105,335
  • Locality add-on +$29,707
  • Adjustment percent 39.28%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $98,317
  • San Francisco GS-13 Step 10 $136,936

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 Francisco: 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 Francisco pay area adds a 39.28% 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 Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $4,051 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,267. 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 Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-13 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in San Francisco?
    In 2018, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $105,335 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $136,936. This is 39.28% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in San Francisco?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Francisco in 2018, it is 39.28%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,707 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $4,051 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.