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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$90,823 GS-12 Step 1 in San Antonio (2026)
$118,072 GS-12 Step 10 in San Antonio (2026)
+$14,360 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-12 pay table for San Antonio

Each step below already includes the 18.78% 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 $90,823 $3,493.19 $43.52 +$14,360
Step 2 $93,850 $3,609.62 $44.97 +$14,838
Step 3 $96,878 $3,726.08 $46.42 +$15,317
Step 4 $99,906 $3,842.54 $47.87 +$15,796
Step 5 $102,934 $3,959.00 $49.32 +$16,275
Step 6 $105,961 $4,075.42 $50.77 +$16,753
Step 7 $108,989 $4,191.88 $52.22 +$17,232
Step 8 $112,017 $4,308.35 $53.67 +$17,711
Step 9 $115,044 $4,424.77 $55.12 +$18,189
Step 10 $118,072 $4,541.23 $56.57 +$18,668
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Antonio pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $76,463
  • San Antonio GS-12 Step 1 $90,823
  • Locality add-on +$14,360
  • Adjustment percent 18.78%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $99,404
  • San Antonio GS-12 Step 10 $118,072

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 San Antonio: 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 2026, the San Antonio pay area adds a 18.78% 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 San Antonio

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Antonio earns roughly $3,493 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,541. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in San Antonio

GS-12 in San Antonio questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in San Antonio?
    In 2026, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Antonio earns $90,823 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,072. This is 18.78% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in San Antonio?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Antonio in 2026, it is 18.78%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,360 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in San Antonio?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in San Antonio earns roughly $3,493 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.