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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$45,345 GS-6 Step 1 in San Diego (2022)
$58,949 GS-6 Step 10 in San Diego (2022)
+$10,696 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $45,345 $1,744.04 $21.73 +$10,696
Step 2 $46,857 $1,802.19 $22.45 +$11,053
Step 3 $48,368 $1,860.31 $23.18 +$11,409
Step 4 $49,880 $1,918.46 $23.90 +$11,766
Step 5 $51,391 $1,976.58 $24.62 +$12,122
Step 6 $52,903 $2,034.73 $25.35 +$12,479
Step 7 $54,414 $2,092.85 $26.07 +$12,835
Step 8 $55,926 $2,151.00 $26.80 +$13,192
Step 9 $57,438 $2,209.15 $27.52 +$13,549
Step 10 $58,949 $2,267.27 $28.25 +$13,905
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $34,649
  • San Diego GS-6 Step 1 $45,345
  • Locality add-on +$10,696
  • Adjustment percent 30.87%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $45,044
  • San Diego GS-6 Step 10 $58,949

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 Diego: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2022, the San Diego pay area adds a 30.87% 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 Diego

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $1,744 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,267. 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-6 San Diego page.

Other grades in San Diego

GS-6 in San Diego questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in San Diego?
    In 2022, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $45,345 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,949. This is 30.87% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,696 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in San Diego?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $1,744 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.