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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$84,452 GS-12 Step 1 in SACRAMENTO (2021)
$109,792 GS-12 Step 10 in SACRAMENTO (2021)
+$17,623 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $84,452 $3,248.15 $40.47 +$17,623
Step 2 $87,267 $3,356.42 $41.81 +$18,210
Step 3 $90,083 $3,464.73 $43.16 +$18,798
Step 4 $92,898 $3,573.00 $44.51 +$19,385
Step 5 $95,714 $3,681.31 $45.86 +$19,973
Step 6 $98,529 $3,789.58 $47.21 +$20,560
Step 7 $101,345 $3,897.88 $48.56 +$21,148
Step 8 $104,160 $4,006.15 $49.91 +$21,735
Step 9 $106,976 $4,114.46 $51.26 +$22,323
Step 10 $109,792 $4,222.77 $52.61 +$22,911
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SACRAMENTO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • SACRAMENTO GS-12 Step 1 $84,452
  • Locality add-on +$17,623
  • Adjustment percent 26.37%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • SACRAMENTO GS-12 Step 10 $109,792

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 2021, 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 $3,248 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,223. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 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 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns $84,452 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $109,792. 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 2021, it is 26.37%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,623 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 $3,248 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.