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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$91,220 GS-12 Step 1 in Sacramento (2023)
$118,586 GS-12 Step 10 in Sacramento (2023)
+$20,121 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-12 pay table for Sacramento

Each step below already includes the 28.30% 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 $91,220 $3,508.46 $43.71 +$20,121
Step 2 $94,261 $3,625.42 $45.17 +$20,792
Step 3 $97,301 $3,742.35 $46.62 +$21,462
Step 4 $100,342 $3,859.31 $48.08 +$22,133
Step 5 $103,383 $3,976.27 $49.54 +$22,804
Step 6 $106,424 $4,093.23 $50.99 +$23,475
Step 7 $109,464 $4,210.15 $52.45 +$24,145
Step 8 $112,505 $4,327.12 $53.91 +$24,816
Step 9 $115,546 $4,444.08 $55.36 +$25,487
Step 10 $118,586 $4,561.00 $56.82 +$26,157
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Sacramento pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $71,099
  • Sacramento GS-12 Step 1 $91,220
  • Locality add-on +$20,121
  • Adjustment percent 28.30%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $92,429
  • Sacramento GS-12 Step 10 $118,586

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 2023, the Sacramento pay area adds a 28.30% 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 $3,508 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,561. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 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 2023, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $91,220 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,586. This is 28.30% 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 2023, it is 28.30%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,121 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 $3,508 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.