Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA locality area. Covers the San Francisco Bay Area including San Jose, Oakland, and surrounding counties. Highest locality pay area in the nation.
The San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA locality rate of 45.25% ranks #1 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 the San Francisco Bay Area including San Jose, Oakland, and surrounding counties. Highest locality pay area in the nation.
Major federal employers in San Jose, CA include NASA Ames, DOE (SLAC), VA Palo Alto, IRS, USGS. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from San Jose, CA but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Annual salaries for federal employees in the San Jose, 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 | $50,546 | $52,230 | $53,915 | $55,600 | $57,285 | $58,970 | $60,655 | $62,340 | $64,025 | $65,710 |
| GS-7 | $62,611 | $64,699 | $66,786 | $68,873 | $70,960 | $73,048 | $75,135 | $77,222 | $79,309 | $81,397 |
| GS-9 | $76,586 | $79,139 | $81,693 | $84,246 | $86,800 | $89,353 | $91,907 | $94,460 | $97,014 | $99,567 |
| GS-11 | $92,662 | $95,752 | $98,841 | $101,931 | $105,020 | $108,110 | $111,199 | $114,289 | $117,378 | $120,467 |
| GS-12 | $111,063 | $114,765 | $118,467 | $122,170 | $125,872 | $129,575 | $133,277 | $136,979 | $140,682 | $144,384 |
| GS-13 | $132,069 | $136,471 | $140,874 | $145,276 | $149,679 | $154,081 | $158,484 | $162,886 | $167,289 | $171,691 |
| GS-14 | $156,065 | $161,268 | $166,471 | $171,674 | $176,877 | $182,080 | $187,282 | $192,485 | $197,200* | $197,200* |
| GS-15 | $183,573 | $189,692 | $195,812 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA locality area.
About GS Pay
| Position | San Jose, CA +45.25% | Los Angeles, CA +32.30% | Sacramento, CA +25.94% | San Diego, CA +29.57% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $111,063 | $101,161 -$9,902 | $96,298 -$14,765 | $99,073 -$11,990 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $125,872 | $114,650 -$11,222 | $109,138 -$16,734 | $112,284 -$13,588 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $149,679 | $136,334 -$13,345 | $129,780 -$19,899 | $133,521 -$16,158 |
| 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 Jose, CA.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Los Angeles, CA earn $11,222 less per year than those in San Jose, CA, while those in Sacramento, CA earn $16,734 less.
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the San Jose, CA locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | San Jose, CA Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $62,611 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $76,586 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $92,662 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $118,467 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $149,679 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $197,200 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Compare pay across all 49 locality areas.
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Estimate federal severance pay based on years of service.
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
A GS-12 in the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA locality area earns between $111,063 (Step 1) and $144,384 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 45.25% locality adjustment applied.
The San Jose, CA locality pay adjustment is 45.25% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.4525 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $125,872.
San Jose, CA has a 45.25% locality rate. Nearby areas include Los Angeles, CA (32.30%), Sacramento, CA (25.94%), San Diego, CA (29.57%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
GS salaries in San Jose, CA are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 45.25% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Major federal employers in the San Jose, CA area include NASA Ames, DOE (SLAC), VA Palo Alto, IRS, USGS. Covers the San Francisco Bay Area including San Jose, Oakland, and surrounding counties. Highest locality pay area in the nation.
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 Jose, CA area at 45.25% reflects the local cost of labor.