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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$45,917 GS-6 Step 1 in San Francisco (2019)
$59,698 GS-6 Step 10 in San Francisco (2019)
+$13,201 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-6 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 40.35% 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 $45,917 $1,766.04 $22.00 +$13,201
Step 2 $47,448 $1,824.92 $22.74 +$13,641
Step 3 $48,979 $1,883.81 $23.47 +$14,081
Step 4 $50,511 $1,942.73 $24.20 +$14,522
Step 5 $52,042 $2,001.62 $24.94 +$14,962
Step 6 $53,573 $2,060.50 $25.67 +$15,402
Step 7 $55,104 $2,119.38 $26.40 +$15,842
Step 8 $56,635 $2,178.27 $27.14 +$16,282
Step 9 $58,167 $2,237.19 $27.87 +$16,723
Step 10 $59,698 $2,296.08 $28.60 +$17,163
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $32,716
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 1 $45,917
  • Locality add-on +$13,201
  • Adjustment percent 40.35%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $42,535
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 10 $59,698

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 2019, the San Francisco pay area adds a 40.35% 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 $1,766 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,296. 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-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 2019, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $45,917 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $59,698. This is 40.35% 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 2019, it is 40.35%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,201 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 $1,766 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.