2026 GS-15 Pay in San Diego
GS-15 employees with a duty station in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earn 33.72% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $169,001 in San Diego.
2026 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 | $169,001 | $6,500.04 | $80.98 | +$42,617 |
| Step 2 | $174,634 | $6,716.69 | $83.68 | +$44,037 |
| Step 3 | $180,268 | $6,933.38 | $86.38 | +$45,458 |
| Step 4 | $185,902 | $7,150.08 | $89.08 | +$46,879 |
| Step 5 | $191,535 | $7,366.73 | $91.78 | +$48,299 |
| Step 6 | $197,169 | $7,583.42 | $94.47 | +$49,720 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 pay table for San Diego
Each step below already includes the 33.72% 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 | $169,001 | $6,500.04 | $80.98 | +$42,617 |
| Step 2 | $174,634 | $6,716.69 | $83.68 | +$44,037 |
| Step 3 | $180,268 | $6,933.38 | $86.38 | +$45,458 |
| Step 4 | $185,902 | $7,150.08 | $89.08 | +$46,879 |
| Step 5 | $191,535 | $7,366.73 | $91.78 | +$48,299 |
| Step 6 | $197,169 | $7,583.42 | $94.47 | +$49,720 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
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 2026, the San Diego pay area adds a 33.72% 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 $6,500 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
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 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $169,001 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 33.72% 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 2026, it is 33.72%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $42,617 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 $6,500 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.