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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$84,971 GS-10 Step 1 in San Francisco (2026)
$110,456 GS-10 Step 10 in San Francisco (2026)
+$26,907 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-10 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-10 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $84,971 $3,268.12 $40.71 +$26,907
Step 2 $87,803 $3,377.04 $42.07 +$27,804
Step 3 $90,634 $3,485.92 $43.43 +$28,700
Step 4 $93,466 $3,594.85 $44.78 +$29,597
Step 5 $96,298 $3,703.77 $46.14 +$30,494
Step 6 $99,129 $3,812.65 $47.50 +$31,390
Step 7 $101,961 $3,921.58 $48.86 +$32,287
Step 8 $104,793 $4,030.50 $50.21 +$33,184
Step 9 $107,624 $4,139.38 $51.57 +$34,080
Step 10 $110,456 $4,248.31 $52.93 +$34,977
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $58,064
  • San Francisco GS-10 Step 1 $84,971
  • Locality add-on +$26,907
  • Adjustment percent 46.34%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $75,479
  • San Francisco GS-10 Step 10 $110,456

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 Francisco: what to expect

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

For 2026, the San Francisco pay area adds a 46.34% 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 Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $3,268 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,248. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-10 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-10 make in San Francisco?
    In 2026, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $84,971 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $110,456. This is 46.34% higher than the base GS-10 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-10 in San Francisco?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Francisco in 2026, it is 46.34%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,907 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-10 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-10 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $3,268 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.