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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,084 GS-4 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2018)
$43,005 GS-4 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2018)
+$7,213 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-4 pay table for SAN DIEGO

Each step below already includes the 27.88% 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 $33,084 $1,272.46 $15.85 +$7,213
Step 2 $34,186 $1,314.85 $16.38 +$7,453
Step 3 $35,288 $1,357.23 $16.91 +$7,693
Step 4 $36,391 $1,399.65 $17.44 +$7,934
Step 5 $37,493 $1,442.04 $17.97 +$8,174
Step 6 $38,595 $1,484.42 $18.49 +$8,414
Step 7 $39,698 $1,526.85 $19.02 +$8,655
Step 8 $40,800 $1,569.23 $19.55 +$8,895
Step 9 $41,902 $1,611.62 $20.08 +$9,135
Step 10 $43,005 $1,654.04 $20.61 +$9,376
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,871
  • SAN DIEGO GS-4 Step 1 $33,084
  • Locality add-on +$7,213
  • Adjustment percent 27.88%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $33,629
  • SAN DIEGO GS-4 Step 10 $43,005

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 DIEGO: what to expect

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

For 2018, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 27.88% 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 DIEGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $1,272 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,654. 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 SAN DIEGO page.

Other grades in SAN DIEGO

GS-4 in SAN DIEGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in SAN DIEGO?
    In 2018, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $33,084 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,005. This is 27.88% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in SAN DIEGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SAN DIEGO in 2018, it is 27.88%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,213 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in SAN DIEGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $1,272 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.