2024 GS-15 Pay in San Diego
GS-15 employees with a duty station in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earn 33.05% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $163,706 in San Diego.
2024 GS-15 Pay in San Diego
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $163,706 | $6,296.38 | $78.44 | +$40,665 |
| Step 2 | $169,162 | $6,506.23 | $81.06 | +$42,020 |
| Step 3 | $174,619 | $6,716.12 | $83.67 | +$43,376 |
| Step 4 | $180,075 | $6,925.96 | $86.28 | +$44,731 |
| Step 5 | $185,532 | $7,135.85 | $88.90 | +$46,087 |
| Step 6 | $190,988 | $7,345.69 | $91.51 | +$47,442 |
| Step 7 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$44,253 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
2024 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $163,706 | $6,296.38 | $78.44 | +$40,665 |
| Step 2 | $169,162 | $6,506.23 | $81.06 | +$42,020 |
| Step 3 | $174,619 | $6,716.12 | $83.67 | +$43,376 |
| Step 4 | $180,075 | $6,925.96 | $86.28 | +$44,731 |
| Step 5 | $185,532 | $7,135.85 | $88.90 | +$46,087 |
| Step 6 | $190,988 | $7,345.69 | $91.51 | +$47,442 |
| Step 7 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$44,253 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more San Diego pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in San Diego: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2024, the San Diego pay area adds a 33.05% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in San Diego
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $6,296 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,381. 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-15 San Diego page.
Other grades in San Diego
GS-15 in San Diego questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in San Diego?
In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $163,706 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 33.05% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $40,665 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in San Diego?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns roughly $6,296 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.