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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$56,205 GS-6 Step 1 in San Francisco (2025)
$73,063 GS-6 Step 10 in San Francisco (2025)
+$17,798 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-6 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 46.34% 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 $56,205 $2,161.73 $26.93 +$17,798
Step 2 $58,078 $2,233.77 $27.83 +$18,391
Step 3 $59,951 $2,305.81 $28.73 +$18,984
Step 4 $61,824 $2,377.85 $29.62 +$19,577
Step 5 $63,697 $2,449.88 $30.52 +$20,170
Step 6 $65,571 $2,521.96 $31.42 +$20,764
Step 7 $67,444 $2,594.00 $32.32 +$21,357
Step 8 $69,317 $2,666.04 $33.21 +$21,950
Step 9 $71,190 $2,738.08 $34.11 +$22,543
Step 10 $73,063 $2,810.12 $35.01 +$23,136
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $38,407
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 1 $56,205
  • Locality add-on +$17,798
  • Adjustment percent 46.34%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $49,927
  • San Francisco GS-6 Step 10 $73,063

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 2025, the San Francisco pay area adds a 46.34% 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 $2,162 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,810. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 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 2025, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $56,205 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $73,063. This is 46.34% 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 2025, it is 46.34%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,798 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 $2,162 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.