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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$96,148 GS-12 Step 1 in Sacramento (2024)
$124,988 GS-12 Step 10 in Sacramento (2024)
+$21,707 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-12 pay table for Sacramento

Each step below already includes the 29.16% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $96,148 $3,698.00 $46.07 +$21,707
Step 2 $99,352 $3,821.23 $47.61 +$22,430
Step 3 $102,557 $3,944.50 $49.14 +$23,154
Step 4 $105,761 $4,067.73 $50.68 +$23,877
Step 5 $108,966 $4,191.00 $52.21 +$24,601
Step 6 $112,170 $4,314.23 $53.75 +$25,324
Step 7 $115,375 $4,437.50 $55.28 +$26,048
Step 8 $118,579 $4,560.73 $56.82 +$26,771
Step 9 $121,784 $4,684.00 $58.35 +$27,495
Step 10 $124,988 $4,807.23 $59.89 +$28,218
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Sacramento pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $74,441
  • Sacramento GS-12 Step 1 $96,148
  • Locality add-on +$21,707
  • Adjustment percent 29.16%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $96,770
  • Sacramento GS-12 Step 10 $124,988

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-12 in Sacramento: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2024, the Sacramento pay area adds a 29.16% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Sacramento

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $3,698 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,807. 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-12 Sacramento page.

Other grades in Sacramento

GS-12 in Sacramento questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Sacramento?
    In 2024, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns $96,148 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $124,988. This is 29.16% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Sacramento?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Sacramento in 2024, it is 29.16%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,707 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Sacramento?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Sacramento earns roughly $3,698 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.