An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,521 GS-4 Step 1 in Washington DC (2016)
$40,977 GS-4 Step 10 in Washington DC (2016)
+$6,260 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-4 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 24.78% 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 $31,521 $1,212.35 $15.10 +$6,260
Step 2 $32,571 $1,252.73 $15.61 +$6,468
Step 3 $33,622 $1,293.15 $16.11 +$6,677
Step 4 $34,673 $1,333.58 $16.61 +$6,886
Step 5 $35,723 $1,373.96 $17.12 +$7,094
Step 6 $36,774 $1,414.38 $17.62 +$7,303
Step 7 $37,825 $1,454.81 $18.12 +$7,512
Step 8 $38,875 $1,495.19 $18.63 +$7,720
Step 9 $39,926 $1,535.62 $19.13 +$7,929
Step 10 $40,977 $1,576.04 $19.63 +$8,138
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,261
  • Washington DC GS-4 Step 1 $31,521
  • Locality add-on +$6,260
  • Adjustment percent 24.78%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $32,839
  • Washington DC GS-4 Step 10 $40,977

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 Washington DC: what to expect

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

For 2016, the Washington DC pay area adds a 24.78% 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 Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,212 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,576. 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 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-4 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Washington DC?
    In 2016, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $31,521 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $40,977. This is 24.78% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in Washington DC?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2016, it is 24.78%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,260 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,212 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.