2023 GS-15 Pay in San Diego
GS-15 employees with a duty station in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earn 32.01% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $155,136 in San Diego.
2023 GS-15 Pay in San Diego
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $155,136 | $5,966.77 | $74.33 | +$37,618 |
| Step 2 | $160,306 | $6,165.62 | $76.81 | +$38,871 |
| Step 3 | $165,477 | $6,364.50 | $79.29 | +$40,125 |
| Step 4 | $170,648 | $6,563.38 | $81.77 | +$41,379 |
| Step 5 | $175,819 | $6,762.27 | $84.24 | +$42,633 |
| Step 6 | $180,990 | $6,961.15 | $86.72 | +$43,887 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for San Diego
Each step below already includes the 32.01% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $155,136 | $5,966.77 | $74.33 | +$37,618 |
| Step 2 | $160,306 | $6,165.62 | $76.81 | +$38,871 |
| Step 3 | $165,477 | $6,364.50 | $79.29 | +$40,125 |
| Step 4 | $170,648 | $6,563.38 | $81.77 | +$41,379 |
| Step 5 | $175,819 | $6,762.27 | $84.24 | +$42,633 |
| Step 6 | $180,990 | $6,961.15 | $86.72 | +$43,887 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more San Diego pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in San Diego: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2023, the San Diego pay area adds a 32.01% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in San Diego
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $5,967 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. 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-15 San Diego page.
Other grades in San Diego
GS-15 in San Diego questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in San Diego?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $155,136 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 32.01% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in San Diego?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Diego in 2023, it is 32.01%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $37,618 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in San Diego?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $5,967 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.