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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$51,995 GS-6 Step 1 in San Francisco (2023)
$67,589 GS-6 Step 10 in San Francisco (2023)
+$15,925 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-6 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 44.15% 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 $51,995 $1,999.81 $24.91 +$15,925
Step 2 $53,728 $2,066.46 $25.74 +$16,456
Step 3 $55,460 $2,133.08 $26.57 +$16,986
Step 4 $57,193 $2,199.73 $27.40 +$17,517
Step 5 $58,926 $2,266.38 $28.23 +$18,048
Step 6 $60,658 $2,333.00 $29.06 +$18,578
Step 7 $62,391 $2,399.65 $29.90 +$19,109
Step 8 $64,124 $2,466.31 $30.73 +$19,640
Step 9 $65,856 $2,532.92 $31.56 +$20,170
Step 10 $67,589 $2,599.58 $32.39 +$20,701
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $36,070
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 1 $51,995
  • Locality add-on +$15,925
  • Adjustment percent 44.15%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $46,888
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 10 $67,589

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 Francisco: what to expect

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

For 2023, the San Francisco pay area adds a 44.15% 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 Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $2,000 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,600. 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 Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-6 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in San Francisco?
    In 2023, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $51,995 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $67,589. This is 44.15% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in San Francisco?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Francisco in 2023, it is 44.15%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,925 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $2,000 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.