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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$98,773 GS-13 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2019)
$128,402 GS-13 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2019)
+$22,086 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $98,773 $3,798.96 $47.33 +$22,086
Step 2 $102,065 $3,925.58 $48.91 +$22,822
Step 3 $105,357 $4,052.19 $50.48 +$23,558
Step 4 $108,649 $4,178.81 $52.06 +$24,294
Step 5 $111,941 $4,305.42 $53.64 +$25,030
Step 6 $115,233 $4,432.04 $55.21 +$25,766
Step 7 $118,526 $4,558.69 $56.79 +$26,503
Step 8 $121,818 $4,685.31 $58.37 +$27,239
Step 9 $125,110 $4,811.92 $59.95 +$27,975
Step 10 $128,402 $4,938.54 $61.52 +$28,711
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $76,687
  • SAN DIEGO GS-13 Step 1 $98,773
  • Locality add-on +$22,086
  • Adjustment percent 28.80%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $99,691
  • SAN DIEGO GS-13 Step 10 $128,402

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 2019, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 28.80% 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 $3,799 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,939. 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-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 2019, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $98,773 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $128,402. This is 28.80% 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 2019, it is 28.80%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,086 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 $3,799 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.