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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$29,684 GS-2 Step 1 in San Diego (2022)
$37,358 GS-2 Step 10 in San Diego (2022)
+$7,002 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-2 pay table for San Diego

Each step below already includes the 30.87% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $29,684 $1,141.69 $14.22 +$7,002
Step 2 $30,391 $1,168.88 $14.56 +$7,169
Step 3 $31,373 $1,206.65 $15.03 +$7,400
Step 4 $32,204 $1,238.62 $15.43 +$7,596
Step 5 $32,568 $1,252.62 $15.61 +$7,682
Step 6 $33,526 $1,289.46 $16.06 +$7,908
Step 7 $34,484 $1,326.31 $16.52 +$8,134
Step 8 $35,442 $1,363.15 $16.98 +$8,360
Step 9 $36,400 $1,400.00 $17.44 +$8,586
Step 10 $37,358 $1,436.85 $17.90 +$8,812
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $22,682
  • San Diego GS-2 Step 1 $29,684
  • Locality add-on +$7,002
  • Adjustment percent 30.87%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $28,546
  • San Diego GS-2 Step 10 $37,358

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-2 in San Diego: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2022, the San Diego pay area adds a 30.87% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in San Diego

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $1,142 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,437. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-2 San Diego page.

Other grades in San Diego

GS-2 in San Diego questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in San Diego?
    In 2022, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $29,684 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $37,358. This is 30.87% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 in San Diego?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Diego in 2022, it is 30.87%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,002 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in San Diego?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $1,142 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.