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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,063 GS-12 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2019)
$107,986 GS-12 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2019)
+$18,573 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for SAN DIEGO

Each step below already includes the 28.80% 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 $83,063 $3,194.73 $39.80 +$18,573
Step 2 $85,832 $3,301.23 $41.13 +$19,192
Step 3 $88,602 $3,407.77 $42.45 +$19,812
Step 4 $91,371 $3,514.27 $43.78 +$20,431
Step 5 $94,140 $3,620.77 $45.11 +$21,050
Step 6 $96,909 $3,727.27 $46.43 +$21,669
Step 7 $99,678 $3,833.77 $47.76 +$22,288
Step 8 $102,448 $3,940.31 $49.09 +$22,908
Step 9 $105,217 $4,046.81 $50.42 +$23,527
Step 10 $107,986 $4,153.31 $51.74 +$24,146
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • SAN DIEGO GS-12 Step 1 $83,063
  • Locality add-on +$18,573
  • Adjustment percent 28.80%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • SAN DIEGO GS-12 Step 10 $107,986

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 2019, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 28.80% 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 $3,195 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,153. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $83,063 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $107,986. This is 28.80% 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 2019, it is 28.80%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,573 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 $3,195 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.