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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$44,937 GS-6 Step 1 in San Francisco (2018)
$58,413 GS-6 Step 10 in San Francisco (2018)
+$12,673 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $44,937 $1,728.35 $21.53 +$12,673
Step 2 $46,435 $1,785.96 $22.25 +$13,096
Step 3 $47,932 $1,843.54 $22.97 +$13,518
Step 4 $49,429 $1,901.12 $23.68 +$13,940
Step 5 $50,926 $1,958.69 $24.40 +$14,362
Step 6 $52,424 $2,016.31 $25.12 +$14,785
Step 7 $53,921 $2,073.88 $25.84 +$15,207
Step 8 $55,418 $2,131.46 $26.55 +$15,629
Step 9 $56,915 $2,189.04 $27.27 +$16,051
Step 10 $58,413 $2,246.65 $27.99 +$16,474
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $32,264
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 1 $44,937
  • Locality add-on +$12,673
  • Adjustment percent 39.28%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $41,939
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 10 $58,413

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 2018, the San Francisco pay area adds a 39.28% 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 $1,728 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,247. 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-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 2018, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $44,937 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,413. This is 39.28% 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 2018, it is 39.28%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,673 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 $1,728 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.