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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,170 GS-2 Step 1 in San Diego (2023)
$39,228 GS-2 Step 10 in San Diego (2023)
+$7,558 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-2 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-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $31,170 $1,198.85 $14.94 +$7,558
Step 2 $31,912 $1,227.38 $15.29 +$7,738
Step 3 $32,944 $1,267.08 $15.79 +$7,988
Step 4 $33,817 $1,300.65 $16.20 +$8,200
Step 5 $34,199 $1,315.35 $16.39 +$8,293
Step 6 $35,204 $1,354.00 $16.87 +$8,536
Step 7 $36,210 $1,392.69 $17.35 +$8,780
Step 8 $37,216 $1,431.38 $17.83 +$9,024
Step 9 $38,222 $1,470.08 $18.31 +$9,268
Step 10 $39,228 $1,508.77 $18.80 +$9,512
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $23,612
  • San Diego GS-2 Step 1 $31,170
  • Locality add-on +$7,558
  • Adjustment percent 32.01%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $29,716
  • San Diego GS-2 Step 10 $39,228

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 2023, the San Diego pay area adds a 32.01% 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 $1,199 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,509. 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-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 2023, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $31,170 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $39,228. This is 32.01% 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 2023, it is 32.01%. On a GS-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,558 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 $1,199 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.