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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,211 GS-10 Step 1 in San Diego (2024)
$97,770 GS-10 Step 10 in San Diego (2024)
+$18,683 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-10 pay table for San Diego

Each step below already includes the 33.05% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-10 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $75,211 $2,892.73 $36.04 +$18,683
Step 2 $77,717 $2,989.12 $37.24 +$19,305
Step 3 $80,224 $3,085.54 $38.44 +$19,928
Step 4 $82,730 $3,181.92 $39.64 +$20,550
Step 5 $85,237 $3,278.35 $40.84 +$21,173
Step 6 $87,744 $3,374.77 $42.04 +$21,796
Step 7 $90,250 $3,471.15 $43.24 +$22,418
Step 8 $92,757 $3,567.58 $44.45 +$23,041
Step 9 $95,264 $3,664.00 $45.65 +$23,664
Step 10 $97,770 $3,760.38 $46.85 +$24,286
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $56,528
  • San Diego GS-10 Step 1 $75,211
  • Locality add-on +$18,683
  • Adjustment percent 33.05%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $73,484
  • San Diego GS-10 Step 10 $97,770

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-10 in San Diego: what to expect

Senior technician and supervisory positions, and full-performance roles in a handful of occupations such as Border Patrol and IT.

For 2024, the San Diego pay area adds a 33.05% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-10 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-9 level, plus agency-specific requirements.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-11 after one year of creditable experience in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-10 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-10 in San Diego

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $2,893 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,760. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-10 San Diego page.

Other grades in San Diego

GS-10 in San Diego questions

  • How much does a GS-10 make in San Diego?
    In 2024, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $75,211 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,770. This is 33.05% higher than the base GS-10 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-10 in San Diego?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Diego in 2024, it is 33.05%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,683 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-10 in San Diego?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-10 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $2,893 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.