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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,802 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2015)
$43,947 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2015)
+$8,791 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 35.15% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,802 $1,300.08 $16.20 +$8,791
Step 2 $34,930 $1,343.46 $16.74 +$9,085
Step 3 $36,057 $1,386.81 $17.28 +$9,378
Step 4 $37,184 $1,430.15 $17.82 +$9,671
Step 5 $38,311 $1,473.50 $18.36 +$9,964
Step 6 $39,438 $1,516.85 $18.90 +$10,257
Step 7 $40,565 $1,560.19 $19.44 +$10,550
Step 8 $41,692 $1,603.54 $19.98 +$10,843
Step 9 $42,820 $1,646.92 $20.52 +$11,137
Step 10 $43,947 $1,690.27 $21.06 +$11,430
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,011
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $33,802
  • Locality add-on +$8,791
  • Adjustment percent 35.15%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $32,517
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $43,947

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-4 in San Francisco: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2015, the San Francisco pay area adds a 35.15% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in San Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $1,300 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,690. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 San Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-4 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in San Francisco?
    In 2015, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $33,802 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,947. This is 35.15% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in San Francisco?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Francisco in 2015, it is 35.15%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,791 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $1,300 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.