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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,253 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2017)
$45,823 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2017)
+$9,739 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 38.17% 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 $35,253 $1,355.88 $16.89 +$9,739
Step 2 $36,427 $1,401.04 $17.45 +$10,063
Step 3 $37,602 $1,446.23 $18.02 +$10,388
Step 4 $38,776 $1,491.38 $18.58 +$10,712
Step 5 $39,950 $1,536.54 $19.14 +$11,036
Step 6 $41,125 $1,581.73 $19.71 +$11,361
Step 7 $42,299 $1,626.88 $20.27 +$11,685
Step 8 $43,474 $1,672.08 $20.83 +$12,010
Step 9 $44,648 $1,717.23 $21.39 +$12,334
Step 10 $45,823 $1,762.42 $21.96 +$12,659
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,514
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $35,253
  • Locality add-on +$9,739
  • Adjustment percent 38.17%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $33,164
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $45,823

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 2017, the San Francisco pay area adds a 38.17% 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 $1,356 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,762. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $35,253 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,823. This is 38.17% 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 2017, it is 38.17%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,739 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 $1,356 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.