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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,292 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2016)
$44,579 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2016)
+$9,031 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 35.75% 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 $34,292 $1,318.92 $16.43 +$9,031
Step 2 $35,435 $1,362.88 $16.98 +$9,332
Step 3 $36,578 $1,406.85 $17.53 +$9,633
Step 4 $37,721 $1,450.81 $18.07 +$9,934
Step 5 $38,864 $1,494.77 $18.62 +$10,235
Step 6 $40,007 $1,538.73 $19.17 +$10,536
Step 7 $41,150 $1,582.69 $19.72 +$10,837
Step 8 $42,293 $1,626.65 $20.26 +$11,138
Step 9 $43,436 $1,670.62 $20.81 +$11,439
Step 10 $44,579 $1,714.58 $21.36 +$11,740
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,261
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $34,292
  • Locality add-on +$9,031
  • Adjustment percent 35.75%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $32,839
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $44,579

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 2016, the San Francisco pay area adds a 35.75% 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 $1,319 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,715. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $34,292 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,579. This is 35.75% 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 2016, it is 35.75%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,031 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 $1,319 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.