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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,082 GS-4 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2018)
$44,303 GS-4 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2018)
+$8,211 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-4 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 31.74% 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 $34,082 $1,310.85 $16.33 +$8,211
Step 2 $35,218 $1,354.54 $16.87 +$8,485
Step 3 $36,354 $1,398.23 $17.42 +$8,759
Step 4 $37,489 $1,441.88 $17.96 +$9,032
Step 5 $38,625 $1,485.58 $18.51 +$9,306
Step 6 $39,760 $1,529.23 $19.05 +$9,579
Step 7 $40,896 $1,572.92 $19.60 +$9,853
Step 8 $42,032 $1,616.62 $20.14 +$10,127
Step 9 $43,167 $1,660.27 $20.68 +$10,400
Step 10 $44,303 $1,703.96 $21.23 +$10,674
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,871
  • HOUSTON GS-4 Step 1 $34,082
  • Locality add-on +$8,211
  • Adjustment percent 31.74%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $33,629
  • HOUSTON GS-4 Step 10 $44,303

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 HOUSTON: what to expect

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

For 2018, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 31.74% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,311 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,704. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-4 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $34,082 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,303. This is 31.74% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2018, it is 31.74%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,211 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,311 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.