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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$30,602 GS-3 Step 1 in SACRAMENTO (2021)
$39,780 GS-3 Step 10 in SACRAMENTO (2021)
+$6,386 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-3 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-3 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $30,602 $1,177.00 $14.66 +$6,386
Step 2 $31,622 $1,216.23 $15.15 +$6,599
Step 3 $32,641 $1,255.42 $15.64 +$6,811
Step 4 $33,661 $1,294.65 $16.13 +$7,024
Step 5 $34,681 $1,333.88 $16.62 +$7,237
Step 6 $35,701 $1,373.12 $17.11 +$7,450
Step 7 $36,721 $1,412.35 $17.60 +$7,663
Step 8 $37,740 $1,451.54 $18.08 +$7,875
Step 9 $38,760 $1,490.77 $18.57 +$8,088
Step 10 $39,780 $1,530.00 $19.06 +$8,301
← GS-2 Calculate my take-home GS-4 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SACRAMENTO pays

  • Base GS-3 Step 1 $24,216
  • SACRAMENTO GS-3 Step 1 $30,602
  • Locality add-on +$6,386
  • Adjustment percent 26.37%
  • Base GS-3 Step 10 $31,479
  • SACRAMENTO GS-3 Step 10 $39,780

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-3 in SACRAMENTO: what to expect

Routine clerical, office assistant and technician-support roles. Common entry grade for recent high school graduates.

For 2021, the SACRAMENTO pay area adds a 26.37% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-3 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of general experience or one year of post-secondary education.

Promotion path. Non-competitive promotion to GS-4 after one year of satisfactory performance.

The rough military equivalent for GS-3 is E-4 Specialist, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-3 in SACRAMENTO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-3 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns roughly $1,177 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,530. 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-3 SACRAMENTO page.

Other grades in SACRAMENTO

GS-3 in SACRAMENTO questions

  • How much does a GS-3 make in SACRAMENTO?
    In 2021, a GS-3 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns $30,602 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $39,780. This is 26.37% higher than the base GS-3 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-3 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-3 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,386 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-3 in SACRAMENTO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-3 Step 1 employee in SACRAMENTO earns roughly $1,177 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.