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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$47,952 GS-6 Step 1 in San Francisco (2021)
$62,337 GS-6 Step 10 in San Francisco (2021)
+$14,049 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-6 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 41.44% 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 $47,952 $1,844.31 $22.98 +$14,049
Step 2 $49,551 $1,905.81 $23.74 +$14,518
Step 3 $51,149 $1,967.27 $24.51 +$14,986
Step 4 $52,747 $2,028.73 $25.27 +$15,454
Step 5 $54,345 $2,090.19 $26.04 +$15,922
Step 6 $55,944 $2,151.69 $26.81 +$16,391
Step 7 $57,542 $2,213.15 $27.57 +$16,859
Step 8 $59,140 $2,274.62 $28.34 +$17,327
Step 9 $60,739 $2,336.12 $29.10 +$17,796
Step 10 $62,337 $2,397.58 $29.87 +$18,264
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $33,903
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 1 $47,952
  • Locality add-on +$14,049
  • Adjustment percent 41.44%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $44,073
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 10 $62,337

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 2021, the San Francisco pay area adds a 41.44% 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 $1,844 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,398. 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-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 2021, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $47,952 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $62,337. This is 41.44% 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 2021, it is 41.44%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,049 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 $1,844 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.