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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$83,615 GS-12 Step 1 in SACRAMENTO (2020)
$108,705 GS-12 Step 10 in SACRAMENTO (2020)
+$17,448 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-12 pay table for SACRAMENTO

Each step below already includes the 26.37% 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 $83,615 $3,215.96 $40.06 +$17,448
Step 2 $86,403 $3,323.19 $41.40 +$18,030
Step 3 $89,191 $3,430.42 $42.74 +$18,612
Step 4 $91,978 $3,537.62 $44.07 +$19,193
Step 5 $94,766 $3,644.85 $45.41 +$19,775
Step 6 $97,554 $3,752.08 $46.74 +$20,357
Step 7 $100,342 $3,859.31 $48.08 +$20,939
Step 8 $103,129 $3,966.50 $49.41 +$21,520
Step 9 $105,917 $4,073.73 $50.75 +$22,102
Step 10 $108,705 $4,180.96 $52.09 +$22,684
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SACRAMENTO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,167
  • SACRAMENTO GS-12 Step 1 $83,615
  • Locality add-on +$17,448
  • Adjustment percent 26.37%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,021
  • SACRAMENTO GS-12 Step 10 $108,705

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 SACRAMENTO: 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 2020, the SACRAMENTO pay area adds a 26.37% 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 SACRAMENTO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns roughly $3,216 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,181. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 SACRAMENTO page.

Other grades in SACRAMENTO

GS-12 in SACRAMENTO questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in SACRAMENTO?
    In 2020, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns $83,615 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $108,705. This is 26.37% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in SACRAMENTO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SACRAMENTO in 2020, it is 26.37%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,448 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in SACRAMENTO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns roughly $3,216 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.