GS Pay Calculator San Diego, CA 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA locality area. Covers San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and surrounding communities.
San Diego, CA Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$112,284
$4,319/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$133,521
$5,135/biweekly
Locality Rate
+29.57%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
San Diego, CA Locality Pay in Context
The San Diego-Carlsbad, CA locality rate of 29.57% ranks #6 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is one of the highest-paying localities, reflecting a significantly higher cost of labor compared to the national average. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and surrounding communities.
Major federal employers in San Diego, CA include Navy (NAVWAR, NAS), USMC (Camp Pendleton), VA, CBP, SPAWAR. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from San Diego, CA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
San Diego, CA GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the San Diego, CA locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $45,089 | $46,592 | $48,095 | $49,598 | $51,101 | $52,604 | $54,107 | $55,610 | $57,113 | $58,616 |
| GS-7 | $55,852 | $57,714 | $59,576 | $61,438 | $63,300 | $65,162 | $67,024 | $68,886 | $70,748 | $72,610 |
| GS-9 | $68,318 | $70,596 | $72,874 | $75,152 | $77,430 | $79,708 | $81,985 | $84,263 | $86,541 | $88,819 |
| GS-11 | $82,659 | $85,415 | $88,171 | $90,927 | $93,683 | $96,439 | $99,195 | $101,951 | $104,707 | $107,463 |
| GS-12 | $99,073 | $102,376 | $105,679 | $108,981 | $112,284 | $115,587 | $118,890 | $122,192 | $125,495 | $128,798 |
| GS-13 | $117,812 | $121,739 | $125,666 | $129,593 | $133,521 | $137,448 | $141,375 | $145,302 | $149,230 | $153,157 |
| GS-14 | $139,218 | $143,859 | $148,500 | $153,141 | $157,783 | $162,424 | $167,065 | $171,706 | $176,347 | $180,989 |
| GS-15 | $163,756 | $169,215 | $174,673 | $180,132 | $185,591 | $191,050 | $196,508 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact San Diego, CA Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: San Diego-Carlsbad, CABase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+29.57%)
$43,601
Total Annual
$191,050
Biweekly
$7,348
Hourly: $91.54
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 49 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
How San Diego, CA Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | San Diego, CA +29.57% | Los Angeles, CA +32.30% | San Jose, CA +45.25% | Phoenix, AZ +20.32% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $99,073 | $101,161 +$2,088 | $111,063 +$11,990 | $92,000 -$7,073 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $112,284 | $114,650 +$2,366 | $125,872 +$13,588 | $104,268 -$8,016 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $133,521 | $136,334 +$2,813 | $149,679 +$16,158 | $123,989 -$9,532 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to San Diego, CA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in San Jose, CA earn $13,588 more per year than those in San Diego, CA, while those in Phoenix, AZ earn $8,016 less.
Career Salary Growth in San Diego, CA
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the San Diego, CA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | San Diego, CA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $55,852 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $68,318 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $82,659 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $105,679 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $133,521 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $180,989 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Complete GS Pay Guide 2026
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in San Diego, CA
How much does a GS-12 make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
A GS-12 in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA locality area earns between $99,073 (Step 1) and $128,798 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 29.57% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for San Diego, CA?
The San Diego, CA locality pay adjustment is 29.57% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2957 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $112,284.
How does San Diego, CA federal pay compare to nearby areas?
San Diego, CA has a 29.57% locality rate. Nearby areas include Los Angeles, CA (32.30%), San Jose, CA (45.25%), Phoenix, AZ (20.32%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in San Diego, CA?
GS salaries in San Diego, CA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 29.57% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Which federal agencies have offices in San Diego, CA?
Major federal employers in the San Diego, CA area include Navy (NAVWAR, NAS), USMC (Camp Pendleton), VA, CBP, SPAWAR. Covers San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and surrounding communities.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The San Diego, CA area at 29.57% reflects the local cost of labor.