2019 GS-15 Pay in SAN DIEGO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earn 28.80% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $106,595 on the base table to $137,294 in SAN DIEGO.
2019 GS-15 Pay in SAN DIEGO
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $137,294 | $5,280.54 | $65.79 | +$30,699 |
| Step 2 | $141,871 | $5,456.58 | $67.98 | +$31,723 |
| Step 3 | $146,447 | $5,632.58 | $70.17 | +$32,746 |
| Step 4 | $151,023 | $5,808.58 | $72.36 | +$33,769 |
| Step 5 | $155,599 | $5,984.58 | $74.56 | +$34,792 |
| Step 6 | $160,176 | $6,160.62 | $76.75 | +$35,816 |
| Step 7 | $164,752 | $6,336.62 | $78.94 | +$36,839 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
2019 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $137,294 | $5,280.54 | $65.79 | +$30,699 |
| Step 2 | $141,871 | $5,456.58 | $67.98 | +$31,723 |
| Step 3 | $146,447 | $5,632.58 | $70.17 | +$32,746 |
| Step 4 | $151,023 | $5,808.58 | $72.36 | +$33,769 |
| Step 5 | $155,599 | $5,984.58 | $74.56 | +$34,792 |
| Step 6 | $160,176 | $6,160.62 | $76.75 | +$35,816 |
| Step 7 | $164,752 | $6,336.62 | $78.94 | +$36,839 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more SAN DIEGO pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in SAN DIEGO: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2019, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 28.80% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in SAN DIEGO
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $5,281 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. 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-15 SAN DIEGO page.
Other grades in SAN DIEGO
GS-15 in SAN DIEGO questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in SAN DIEGO?
In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $137,294 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 28.80% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $30,699 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in SAN DIEGO?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $5,281 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.