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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$47,616 GS-6 Step 1 in San Diego (2023)
$61,897 GS-6 Step 10 in San Diego (2023)
+$11,546 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $47,616 $1,831.38 $22.82 +$11,546
Step 2 $49,203 $1,892.42 $23.58 +$11,931
Step 3 $50,790 $1,953.46 $24.34 +$12,316
Step 4 $52,376 $2,014.46 $25.10 +$12,700
Step 5 $53,963 $2,075.50 $25.86 +$13,085
Step 6 $55,550 $2,136.54 $26.62 +$13,470
Step 7 $57,137 $2,197.58 $27.38 +$13,855
Step 8 $58,723 $2,258.58 $28.14 +$14,239
Step 9 $60,310 $2,319.62 $28.90 +$14,624
Step 10 $61,897 $2,380.65 $29.66 +$15,009
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $36,070
  • San Diego GS-6 Step 1 $47,616
  • Locality add-on +$11,546
  • Adjustment percent 32.01%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $46,888
  • San Diego GS-6 Step 10 $61,897

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 2023, the San Diego pay area adds a 32.01% 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 $1,831 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,381. 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-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 2023, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $47,616 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $61,897. This is 32.01% 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 2023, it is 32.01%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,546 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 $1,831 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.